Time Duration Words: 分钟, 年, 天, 周
时量词：分钟、年、天、周
Express how long an action lasts using time duration phrases after the verb
Place the time duration phrase after the verb (often with 了) to express how long the action lasted. If there is an object, the structure becomes more complex.
When there is an object, you have two options: (1) repeat the verb: 我学中文学了两年, or (2) place the duration before the object: 我学了两年(的)中文. This is one of the trickiest structures in Chinese — practice it well.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Time Duration Words: 分钟, 年, 天, 周 (时量词：分钟、年、天、周)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 时量词：分钟、年、天、周 pattern
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Understanding 时量词：分钟、年、天、周
Expressing duration in Chinese is fundamentally different from English. In English you say "I waited for ten minutes" — the "for" goes before the duration. In Chinese, the duration comes AFTER the verb: 我等了十分钟. There is no word for "for" — the duration itself attaches directly to the verb. The tricky part comes when you add an object. You cannot say 我学了两年中文 in standard grammar — instead, you either repeat the verb (我学中文学了两年) or restructure (我学了两年的中文). This takes practice, but once it clicks, you will use it constantly.
Key Points
- 分钟 (fēnzhōng) = minute(s) — always needs a number: 十分钟, 三十分钟.
- 天 (tiān) = day(s) — used for counting days: 三天, 五天.
- 周 (zhōu) = week(s) — more formal than 星期 for counting duration: 两周.
- 年 (nián) = year(s) — 两年, 三年. No measure word needed between number and 年.
- Duration goes AFTER the verb: 我等了十分钟 (I waited ten minutes).
- With an object, repeat the verb or restructure: 我看书看了两个小时 / 我看了两个小时的书.
- 了 after the verb signals the action has been happening for that duration.
- For ongoing duration, add 了 at the end too: 我学了两年了 (I have been studying for two years and still am).
Chinese people often ask 你学了多长时间中文？(How long have you been studying Chinese?). Being able to answer fluently with a duration phrase — 我学了一年半了 — will impress native speakers and show real progress.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我等了十分钟。
I waited for ten minutes.
他学了两年中文。
He studied Chinese for two years.
我们休息了五天。
We rested for five days.
这个项目需要三周。
This project needs three weeks.
他睡了八个小时。
He slept for eight hours.
我看书看了两个小时。
I read for two hours.
Verb repeated because of the object 书
她在北京住了三年了。
She has been living in Beijing for three years (and still is).
Double 了 = action is ongoing
Common Mistakes
There is no preposition like "for" before the duration in Chinese. The duration attaches directly after the verb + 了.
When expressing ongoing duration with an object, the final 了 goes at the very end of the sentence, not before the object.
周 does not take the measure word 个, but 星期 does. Say 三周 or 三个星期.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
When asked 你学了多长时间中文？start your answer with a duration right after the verb: 我学了一年半.
The double-了 pattern is essential: 他来了三天了 = He has been here for three days (and is still here).
For past completed actions, use single 了: 他等了十分钟 (He waited ten minutes — finished waiting).
Practice with your daily schedule: 我睡了七个小时, 我上课上了三个小时, 我运动了三十分钟.
Homework
Write a diary entry describing how long you spent on each activity yesterday. Use at least three different time units (分钟, 小时, 天, 周, 年). Include at least one sentence with verb repetition and one with double 了.