HSK 2, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 日, rank #179, Medium
shí(shi2) T2
1old variant of 時
2>时[shí]
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March 24, 2026
时(旹)shí(shi2)
The character 时 (shí) primarily means 'time' and can refer to specific hours, seasons, or periods. It is commonly used in expressions related to time such as 'what time' (几点) and 'time flies' (时光飞逝). Its usage is broad, covering both casual and formal contexts when discussing time-related concepts.
Strokes7Radical日Frequency#179DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed cyclically, particularly in relation to seasons and agricultural activities. The character 时 reflects this cultural connection, as it can denote periods of the year significant for farming and festivals.
Memory Tip
To remember 时 (shí), think of a clock (the top part represents the face of the clock showing the hour, while the bottom part suggests a pointing arrow indicating the passage of time). Imagine a clock striking, reminding you of how time is constantly moving forward.
Meanings of 时
shí(shi2)
1o'clock
2time
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 时
时Simplified
旹Traditional
7Strokes
日Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#179Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 时
Podcast: 时
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AI Study Notes for 时
Quick Contrast
时 (shí) vs 值 (zhí) — use 时 to refer specifically to time as a concept or period, whereas 值 relates to value or worth.
Memory Mnemonic
To remember 时 (shí), think of a clock (the top part represents the face of the clock showing the hour, while the bottom part suggests a pointing arrow indicating the passage of time). Imagine a clock striking, reminding you of how time is constantly moving forward.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 时 (shí) with 常 (cháng), which means 'often' or 'usually'; these words are used in different contexts. It is also common to see this character used in combination with others, such as 时间 (shíjiān) meaning 'time' or 'duration.' Keep an eye on tone; a mispronunciation can lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
While 时 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other time-related vocabulary in HSK 1 and 2, such as 现在 (xiànzài, 'now') and 以后 (yǐhòu, 'after'). Students should practice using 时 in sentences to strengthen their understanding of time concepts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed cyclically, particularly in relation to seasons and agricultural activities. The character 时 reflects this cultural connection, as it can denote periods of the year significant for farming and festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 时 (shí) with 事 (shì, 'matter' or 'affair'). For example, saying '我有很多时' (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō shí) instead of '我有很多事' (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō shì) can lead to confusion about the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 时
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Grammar Patterns of 时
时 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
We got married when I was 30 for all the wrong reasons.
5
我离开剑桥时，透支了1万英镑。
wǒ lí kāi jiàn qiáo shí， ， tòu zhī1 le 1 wàn。
When I left Cambridge I had a £10,000 overdraft.
6
我拒绝接受帮助的时候时常显得粗鲁无礼。
wǒ jù jué jiē shòu bāng zhù de shí hòu shí cháng xiǎn dé cū lǔ wú lǐ。
I was often rude and ungracious in refusing help.
7
黎明时分，我把他叫醒，告诉他我们要走了。
lí míng shí fēn， ， wǒ bǎ tā jiào， xǐng ， gào sù tā wǒ mén yào。
At dawn I woke him up and said we were leaving.
8
我年轻时被他深深吸引住了。
wǒ nián qīng shí bèi tā shēn shēn xī yǐn zhù le。
I was quite taken with him when I was young.
9
在校时我的数学跟不上。
zài xiào shí wǒ de shù xué gēn bù shàng。
I got left behind at school with the maths.
10
醒来时，我躺在厨房地板上。
xǐng lái shí， ， wǒ tǎng zài chú fáng dì bǎn。
When I came round I was on the kitchen floor.
11
吃饭时，我们聊了很多有趣的事情。
Chī fàn shí, wǒmen liáo le hěn duō yǒuqù de shìqíng.
During dinner, we talked about many interesting things.
12
看电视时，我喜欢吃零食。
Kàn diànshì shí, wǒ xǐhuān chī língshí.
I like to eat snacks while watching TV.
13
上课时，请不要说话。
Shàngkè shí, qǐng bùyào shuōhuà.
Please do not talk during class.
14
下雨时，我们都待在家里。
Xià yǔ shí, wǒmen dōu dāi zài jiālǐ.
We all stay at home when it rains.
15
吃饭时，我们聊了很多有趣的事情。
Chī fàn shí, wǒmen liáo le hěn duō yǒuqù de shìqíng.
During dinner, we talked about many interesting things.
16
看电视时，我喜欢吃零食。
Kàn diànshì shí, wǒ xǐhuān chī língshí.
I like to eat snacks while watching TV.
17
上课时，请不要说话。
Shàngkè shí, qǐng bùyào shuōhuà.
Please do not talk during class.
18
下雨时，我们都待在家里。
Xià yǔ shí, wǒmen dōu dāi zài jiālǐ.
We all stay at home when it rains.
Cultural Notes for 时
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often viewed cyclically, particularly in relation to seasons and agricultural activities. The character 时 reflects this cultural connection, as it can denote periods of the year significant for farming and festivals.
Word Family of 时
Compounds3
莳shi2to transplant, to grow; dill, Anethum graveolens
鲥shi2Reeves' shad; hilsa herring
埘shi2a chicken roost
Words Containing This Character20
时候shíhoutime時候
时shítime時
时间shíjiāntime時間
小时xiǎoshíhour小時
同时tóngshíat the same time同時
当时dāngshíthen當時
时代shídàiage時代
那时then那時
有时sometimes有時
时尚shíshàngfashion時尚
有时候sometimes有時候
时刻shíkètime時刻
及时jíshíin time及時
时期shíqīperiod時期
随时suíshíat any time隨時
暂时zànshítemporary暫時
时光shíguāngtime時光
此时cǐshínow此時
这时at this time這時
平时píngshíordinarily平時
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 莳 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 时
时 (shí) refers to 'time' or 'hour', while 时间 (shíjiān) specifically means 'time' in a broader sense, often used to talk about duration or periods. In everyday conversation, 时间 is more commonly used when discussing time-related topics, while 时 can be used in more specific contexts.
The character 时 (shí) is used when discussing hours, specific times, or periods. It can also be used in phrases like '当时' (dāngshí), meaning 'at that time,' indicating a particular point in the past. It's important to understand the context to use it correctly.
时 (shí) means 'time' or 'hour' in Chinese. It can also refer to a specific period or season. The character is commonly used in various phrases related to time, such as '时间' (shíjiān), which means 'time'.
时 (shí) can be used to indicate a specific time or season in sentences. For example, you might say '现在是晚上七点' (xiànzài shì wǎnshàng qī diǎn), meaning 'It is now 7 PM'. Another common usage is in '这个时候' (zhège shíhòu), which means 'at this time'.
You can use it in a sentence like '现在是三点' (Xiànzài shì sān diǎn) meaning 'It is 3 o'clock now.'
Yes, 时 can be used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing time.
Common phrases include '时时刻刻' (shí shí kè kè, 'every moment') and '时光' (shíguāng, 'time' or 'era').
