Meanings of 小时
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About 小时
Podcast: 小时
Podcast: 小时
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AI Study Notes for 小时
分钟 (fēnzhōng) vs 小时 (xiǎoshí): Use 小时 for durations of one hour or more, while 分钟 is for shorter time intervals, specifically minutes.
Common mistakes include using the wrong measure word; always remember to pair 小时 with 个 (gè) when counting. This term is informal and used in casual conversations, so it’s suitable for everyday discussions rather than formal writing.
As an HSK 2 word, 小时 connects with other time-related vocabulary like 分钟 (fēn zhōng, minute) and 天 (tiān, day). Focus on using it in sentences to describe activities and durations to reinforce understanding.
Learners often forget to use the measure word 个 with 小时, saying '两个小时' correctly instead of '两个小时个'. Also, some may confuse 小时 with 分钟 (minute); remember that 小时 refers specifically to hours.
Pronunciation of 小时
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Jason Explains 小时 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 小时 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component Characters
How to say hour in Chinese
“hour” in Chinese is小时
小时 (xiǎo shí) refers to an hour, which is a unit of time equal to 60 minutes. It is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as scheduling, discussing durations, and expressing time intervals.
When to use 小时
Common mistakes include using the wrong measure word; always remember to pair 小时 with 个 (gè) when counting. This term is informal and used in casual conversations, so it’s suitable for everyday discussions rather than formal writing.
小时 or something close to it
分钟 (fēnzhōng) vs 小时 (xiǎoshí): Use 小时 for durations of one hour or more, while 分钟 is for shorter time intervals, specifically minutes.
What learners get wrong
Learners often forget to use the measure word 个 with 小时, saying '两个小时' correctly instead of '两个小时个'. Also, some may confuse 小时 with 分钟 (minute); remember that 小时 refers specifically to hours.
Write 小时
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Practice writing 小时 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 小时
小时 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
昨天我睡了八个____的觉。
I slept eight hours yesterday.
Example Sentences for 小时 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 小时
You can say '我工作了两个小时' (Wǒ gōngzuò le liǎng gè xiǎo shí), which means 'I worked for two hours'.
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