Mandarin TempleMandarin TempleCome for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
时候 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
时候shíhoutimeHSK 1, n, 17 strokes, rank #82, Easy
时候shíhoulength of timeHSK 1, n, 17 strokes, rank #82, Easy
时候shíhoumomentHSK 1, n, 17 strokes, rank #82, Easy
时候shíhouperiodHSK 1, n, 17 strokes, rank #82, Easy
shíhou(shi2hou5)shi hou T2
  1. 1time
  2. 2length of time
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

时候(時候)shíhou(shi2hou5)

时候 (shíhòu) refers to a specific point in time or a duration of time. It is commonly used in everyday conversations to discuss schedules, events, or periods, making it an essential word for expressing timing in Mandarin.

Strokes17Frequency#82DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of time is often tied to events and traditions, such as festivals and family gatherings. The word 时候 is frequently used when discussing these important moments in the Chinese calendar.

Memory Tip

Think of 时候 as representing a 'moment' in time. The character '时' (shí) looks like a clock face, indicating time, while '候' (hòu) can be imagined as a waiting figure—someone waiting for the right moment. Together, they signify a specific time when something happens.

Meanings of 时候

shíhou(shi2hou5)
1time
2length of time
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 时候 means.

About 时候

时候Simplified
時候Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#82Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 时候

JasonAmy

Podcast: 时候

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 时候

Quick Contrast

时间 (shíjiān) refers to time as a concept or measurement, while 时候 (shíhòu) indicates a specific point or period within that time.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 时候 with similar words like 时间 (shíjiān), which means 'time' in a broader sense. In informal contexts, you can use 时候 to ask about schedules, but in formal writing, opt for more precise time expressions. Pay attention to the tone; saying it incorrectly may lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 1 word, 时候 is a foundational term that learners encounter early. Focus on using it in sentences to ask about or indicate times, and practice combining it with other time-related words like '今天' (jīntiān, today) or '明天' (míngtiān, tomorrow).

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 时候 when asking about time, saying '你时间什么时候?' instead of '你什么时候?'. Remember, 时候 is the correct term for asking when something happens.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 时候

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 时候 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 时候 to You

Let me explain 时候 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 时候 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 时候?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 时候 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.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

时shío'clock
HSK 27 strokes日
View full entry
候hòuto wait
HSK 510 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say time in Chinese

“time” in Chinese is时候shíhou

时候 (shíhòu) refers to a specific point in time or a duration of time. It is commonly used in everyday conversations to discuss schedules, events, or periods, making it an essential word for expressing timing in Mandarin.

When to use 时候

Be careful not to confuse 时候 with similar words like 时间 (shíjiān), which means 'time' in a broader sense. In informal contexts, you can use 时候 to ask about schedules, but in formal writing, opt for more precise time expressions. Pay attention to the tone; saying it incorrectly may lead to misunderstandings.

时候 or something close to it

时间 (shíjiān) refers to time as a concept or measurement, while 时候 (shíhòu) indicates a specific point or period within that time.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 时候 when asking about time, saying '你时间什么时候?' instead of '你什么时候?'. Remember, 时候 is the correct term for asking when something happens.

Write 时候

时
候

Practice writing 时候 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 时候

时候 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 4 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

你们什么____见面？

When are you meeting?

Example Sentences for 时候 (22)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我回来的时候，妈妈还没下班。

wǒ huí lái de shí hòu， ， mā mā huán méi xià。

Ma was still at work when I got back.
2
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.
3
今晚我做完的时候刚过7点。

jīn wǎn wǒ zuò wán de shí hòu gāng guò7 7。

It was just gone 7 o'clock this evening when I finished.
4
兰德尔这个时候应该正在拿周日的报纸。

lán dé ěr zhè gè shí hòu yīng gāi zhèng zài ná zhōu rì de bào zhǐ。

Randall would just now be getting the Sunday paper.
5
这部影片的票房收入开始的时候持续上涨，但是后来急剧下降。

zhè bù yǐng piàn de piào fáng shōu rù kāi shǐ de shí hòu chí xù shàng zhǎng， ， dàn shì hòu lái jí jù xià。

The film opened to healthy box office receipts before rapidly falling off.
6
埋头工作的时候，你是否忽视了自己的婚姻？

mái tóu gōng zuò de shí hòu， ， nǐ shì fǒu hū shì le zì jǐ de hūn？

While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?
7
你真该看看他谈到家的时候眼睛放光的模样。

nǐ zhēn gāi kàn kàn tā tán dào jiā de shí hòu yǎn jīng fàng guāng de mó yàng。

You should see his eyes light up when he talks about home.
8
他们在室外的时候，你不担心吗？

tā mén zài shì wài de shí hòu， ， nǐ bù dān xīn？

Don't you worry about them when they're out of doors?
9
无论你什么时候需要，都可以自由穿过我们的领地。

wú lùn nǐ shí mó shí hòu xū yào， ， dū kě yǐ zì yóu chuān guò wǒ mén de lǐng。

You may have free passage across our territory whenever you require it.
10
你上次和他调情或挑逗他是什么时候？

nǐ shàng cì hé tā tiáo qíng huò tiāo dòu tā shì shí mó shí hòu？

When did you last flirt with him or tease him?
11
你什么时候去上班？

Nǐ shénme shíhou qù shàngbān?

What time do you go to work?
12
吃饭的时候不要说话。

Chīfàn de shíhou bùyào shuōhuà.

Don't talk while eating.
13
我喜欢早上的时候跑步。

Wǒ xǐhuān zǎoshang de shíhou pǎobù.

I like to run in the morning.
14
下雨的时候，我常常在家看书。

Xiàyǔ de shíhou, wǒ chángcháng zài jiā kàn shū.

When it rains, I often read books at home.
15
你生病的时候，要多休息。

Nǐ shēngbìng de shíhou, yào duō xiūxi.

When you are sick, you need to rest more.
16
上课的时候，不要玩手机。

Shàngkè de shíhou, bùyào wán shǒujī.

Don't play with your phone during class.
17
你什么时候去上班？

Nǐ shénme shíhou qù shàngbān?

What time do you go to work?
18
吃饭的时候不要说话。

Chīfàn de shíhou bùyào shuōhuà.

Don't talk while eating.
19
我喜欢早上的时候跑步。

Wǒ xǐhuān zǎoshang de shíhou pǎobù.

I like to run in the morning.
20
下雨的时候，我常常在家看书。

Xiàyǔ de shíhou, wǒ chángcháng zài jiā kàn shū.

When it rains, I often read books at home.
21
你生病的时候，要多休息。

Nǐ shēngbìng de shíhou, yào duō xiūxi.

When you are sick, you need to rest more.
22
上课的时候，不要玩手机。

Shàngkè de shíhou, bùyào wán shǒujī.

Don't play with your phone during class.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 时候?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 时候

You can say '你什么时候来?' (Nǐ shénme shíhòu lái?), which means 'When are you coming?'. This shows how 时候 can be used to inquire about someone's schedule.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 时候?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab