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时候 (shí hou) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 1

时候 (shí hou) is a Chinese word: time. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 时候

名 míng noun

time

现在是吃饭的时候。

xiàn zài shì chī fàn de shí hou

Now is the time to eat.

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Word breakdown

时 shí — time

Words with this character (49)
  • 1 小时 xiǎo shí — hour HSK 1
    • 小 small (unit of time)
    • 时 time/hour
    Example

    我每天工作八小时。

    wǒ měi tiān gōng zuò bā xiǎo shí

    I work eight hours every day.

  • 2 时间 shí jiān — time HSK 1
    • 时 time, moment, hour
    • 间 interval, duration, space
    Example

    时间过得很快。

    shí jiān guò de hěn kuài

    Time passes very quickly.

  • 3 小时候 xiǎo shí hòu — childhood; when (one was) young HSK 2
    • 小 young, little (referring to age)
    • 时 time
    • 候 period, moment (forms 时候 meaning 'time, period')
    Example

    我小时候很喜欢画画。

    wǒ xiǎo shí hòu hěn xǐ huan huà huà

    I really liked drawing when I was young.

  • 4 有时候 yǒu shí hòu — sometimes HSK 2
    • 有 to have/exist (introduces the temporal expression)
    • 时 time/moment (the core temporal meaning)
    • 候 time/occasion (optional reinforcement of temporal meaning)
    Example

    我有时候喜欢一个人待着。

    wǒ yǒu shí hòu xǐ huān yí gè rén dāi zhe

    I sometimes like to be alone.

  • 5 平时 píng shí — usually HSK 3
    • 平 ordinary, normal (describing regular conditions)
    • 时 time, times (temporal period)
    Example

    他平时很忙，周末才有时间休息。

    tā píng shí hěn máng zhōu mò cái yǒu shí jiān xiū xi

    He's usually very busy, only has time to rest on weekends.

Show more (+44)

候 hòu / hou — moment

Contextual pronunciation: hou

Words with this character (10)
Show more (+5)
Structure & writing
1 时 shí — time; a relatively long period of time during which matter continuously changes or develops

时 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 日 rì — the sun
日 is a component in 67 characters
HSK 1
早 zǎo morning 时 shí time; a relatively long period of time during which matter continuously changes or develops 明 míng bright; light (opposite of "dark") 星 xīng stars twinkling in the night sky 昨 zuó yesterday
Show more HSK 1 characters (+2)
晚 wǎn evening; night 间 jiān between; the space where two periods of time or things meet
HSK 2
晴 qíng clear, sunny (of sky or weather; opposite of overcast) 最 zuì most; -est (superlative degree)
HSK 3
冒 mào to rise; to emerge; to come out 复 fù to repeat; to do more than once 旧 jiù old; outdated (opposite of '新') 易 yì easy; not difficult (opposite of 难) 照 zhào (of light) shine on an object
Show more HSK 3 characters (+4)
者 zhě particle after adjectives or verbs indicating a person or thing with that quality or doing that action 阳 yáng yang, one of the two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy (opposite of 阴) 音 yīn sound; pronunciation 香 xiāng fragrant; pleasant-smelling (opposite of 臭)
HSK 4
厚 hòu thick (of a flat object, opposite of 薄) 晨 chén early morning; dawn; sometimes broadly referring to the period from midnight to noon 普 pǔ universal; widespread 景 jǐng situation; circumstance 暂 zàn brief, short in time (opposite of 久)
Show more HSK 4 characters (+2)
暑 shǔ hot, sweltering (opposite of 寒) 暖 nuǎn warm, neither cold nor hot
HSK 5
旦 dàn dawn; early morning 昆 kūn (class.) elder brother 映 yìng to reflect (an image via light) 显 xiǎn visible; obvious; evident 晒 shài （of the sun）to shine on something
Show more HSK 5 characters (+4)
智 zhì wise; intelligent 暗 àn dark, dim (opposite of 明) 暴 bào sudden and violent; fierce and swift 替 tì to replace; to substitute
HSK 6
宴 yàn to host a banquet; to feast together 旬 xún a period of ten days; a month has three such periods: upper, middle, and lower 旱 hàn drought; dry (opposite of 涝) 昂 áng to raise high, to hold up 晕 yūn to faint; to lose consciousness
Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)
晰 xī clear, distinct 晾 liàng to dry clothes in the sun or in a ventilated place 踏 tà to step on; to go to a place in person
HSK 7
嗜 shì to love, to have a particular fondness for 塌 tā to collapse, cave in 捏 niē to pinch (with thumb and fingers) 旨 zhǐ delicious; tasty 旭 xù (lit.) the first rays of the morning sun
Show more HSK 7 characters (+20)
旷 kuàng empty and vast; open and spacious 旺 wàng prosperous; flourishing; (of fire) blazing fiercely 昌 chāng prosperous; flourishing 昏 hūn dusk; twilight 昔 xī the past; former times (opposite of 今) 昧 mèi confused; ignorant 晃 huàng to shake, to sway 晋 jìn to advance, move forward or upward 晓 xiǎo dawn, daybreak 晤 wù to meet, to see (someone) 晶 jīng bright; luminous 暄 xuān (lit.) warm (of sunlight); pleasantly warm 暧 ài (lit.) dim, obscure (of sunlight) 暮 mù dusk, the time of sunset 曙 shǔ dawn; daybreak 曝 bào used in "曝光": ① (photography) exposure of film or photosensitive paper to light; ② (figurative) to expose hidden matters to public 莫 mò (lit.) no one; nothing 蹋 tà to tread on; to step on 隙 xì crack; crevice 鲁 lǔ dull; stupid
1.2 寸 cùn — cun, a unit of length (1/10 of a 尺, approx. 1/30 meter)
寸 is a component in 25 characters
HSK 1
对 duì to answer; to reply 得 dé to get; to obtain (opposite of 失) 时 shí time; a relatively long period of time during which matter continuously changes or develops
HSK 2
过 guò to move from one place or party to another
HSK 3
封 fēng to confer a title, rank, or fief upon a vassal (in ancient times) 衬 chèn to line with a layer underneath or inside
HSK 4
付 fù to submit; to hand over 厨 chú kitchen 导 dǎo to guide; to channel 将 jiāng will; about to 尊 zūn of high status or seniority
Show more HSK 4 characters (+3)
村 cūn village; small residential settlement 耐 nài to endure; to withstand; to bear 讨 tǎo to launch a punitive expedition; to attack with troops
HSK 5
冠 guàn (lit.) to put on a hat (in ancient times, a capping ceremony at age 20 marked adulthood) 守 shǒu to defend, guard (opposite of 攻) 寻 xún ancient unit of length equal to eight chi (also said to be seven or six chi)
HSK 6
夺 duó to seize by force; to snatch 寿 shòu long-lived; advanced in age 射 shè to shoot or launch (an arrow, bullet, ball, etc.) 碍 ài to hinder, obstruct
HSK 7
嚼 jiáo to chew; to masticate 寺 sì ancient government office 祭 jì to pay tribute to the deceased 辱 rǔ shame; disgrace (opposite of 荣)

Stroke order

2 候 hòu / hou — to wait; to await

候 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

2.1 亻 rén — person/human radical (standing figure)
亻 is a component in 117 characters
HSK 1
什 shén see "什么": ① interrogative pronoun; ② indefinite reference; ③ universal reference (used before 也/都); ④ surprise or dissatisfaction; ⑤ reproach; ⑥ disagreement; ⑦ non-exhaustive enumeration 他 tā third-person pronoun, generally male, sometimes gender-neutral (he/him; they) 们 men suffix added to pronouns or nouns referring to people to indicate plural 件 jiàn measure word for individual items 休 xiū to stop; to cease (something)
Show more HSK 1 characters (+6)
住 zhù to reside; to stay (permanently or temporarily) 作 zuò to work; to make; to produce 你 nǐ you (second person singular pronoun) 便 biàn convenient; to make convenient, smooth, without difficulty or obstruction 候 hòu to wait; to await 做 zuò to make; to manufacture (a physical object)
HSK 2
但 dàn only, merely 位 wèi position; location 体 tǐ the whole body of a person or animal; by extension, a part of the body 游 yóu unfixed; constantly moving
HSK 3
信 xìn letter; written message 借 jiè to borrow (something to be returned later) 假 jiǎ false; fake; not genuine, opposite of "真" 健 jiàn to strengthen; to make robust 像 xiàng portrait, image, or sculpture made in the likeness of a person or object
Show more HSK 3 characters (+2)
化 huà to change in nature or form; to transform 复 fù to repeat; to do more than once
HSK 4
仅 jǐn only; merely 仍 réng still; as before; unchanged 仔 zǎi (dial.) young man 付 fù to submit; to hand over 价 jià price; the monetary value of goods
Show more HSK 4 characters (+20)
任 rèn to appoint; to assign to a post 份 fèn a portion or share of a whole divided into parts 优 yōu excellent; superior (opposite of 劣) 伙 huǒ meals; food provisions 估 gū to estimate, to reckon approximately 低 dī low (opposite of 'high'); close to the ground 何 hé interrogative pronoun: ① what ② where ③ why 使 shǐ to dispatch; to order about 例 lì example; instance used as a reference or model 供 gōng to supply; to provide money or goods for those in need 保 bǎo to guard and protect from harm or loss 俩 liǎ two (cannot be followed by 个 or other measure words) 倍 bèi a multiple; a number equal to another multiplied by a given factor 倒 dǎo to fall down; to topple over 值 zhí price; value; numerical value 停 tíng to stop, to cease moving 偶 ǒu idol; figure made of wood or clay 傅 fù (lit.) to assist; to instruct 傲 ào arrogant; proud 夜 yè night (from dusk to dawn), opposite of '日'/'昼'
HSK 5
亿 yì one hundred million 代 dài to substitute; to replace 仿 fǎng to imitate; to follow as a model 伍 wǔ a military unit of five soldiers in ancient times; now refers to the army in general 伟 wěi great; sublime; inspiring reverence
Show more HSK 5 characters (+16)
传 chuán to pass from one party to another; to hand down from generation to generation 伴 bàn companion; partner 伸 shēn to stretch out; to extend 似 sì to resemble; to be like 佛 fó Buddha (abbrev. of Sanskrit transliteration '佛陀'); esp. Shakyamuni, founder of Buddhism 佳 jiā beautiful, good 依 yī to lean on; to rely on, to depend on 促 cù short (of time) 俗 sú custom; social habit or convention formed over time 倡 chàng to initiate; to advocate 傍 bàng to be close to; to be beside 催 cuī to urge; to press someone to act quickly 傻 shǎ foolish, stupid 宿 sù to lodge; to spend the night; to sleep overnight 拖 tuō to drag (an object along a surface) 施 shī to implement; to exert
HSK 6
仗 zhàng general term for ancient weapons 仪 yí appearance and bearing; demeanor 仰 yǎng face upward (opposite of 俯, to face downward) 佩 pèi to wear (on one's person); to carry at one's side 侄 zhí nephew (son of a brother or male peer; also used for a friend's son)
Show more HSK 6 characters (+6)
侧 cè side; lateral (opposite of 'front/upright') 俱 jù all, entirely 倾 qīng to tilt; to lean 偷 tōu to steal; to take something without the owner's knowledge 偿 cháng to repay; to compensate 储 chǔ to save, to store up
HSK 7
仁 rén benevolence; the Confucian moral concept centered on compassion, love, and altruism 仆 pú servant hired to do household chores 仇 chóu enemy; foe 仙 xiān immortal; a person with supernatural abilities in mythology 仲 zhòng second among siblings (after 伯, before 叔)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+33)
伏 fú to lean forward onto something; to lie face down, prostrate 伐 fá to chop (a tree); to fell 伦 lún generation; kind; category 伪 wěi false; fake; deceitful (opposite of 真) 伯 bó uncle (father's elder brother) 伺 sì to watch; to lie in wait 佑 yòu to assist and protect 佣 yōng to hire or be hired 侃 kǎn (lit.) upright and forthright 侈 chǐ wasteful; extravagant 侍 shì to serve, attend upon, wait on someone 侠 xiá a chivalrous person or act of helping the oppressed through personal strength 侣 lǚ companion; partner 侥 jiǎo 见"侥幸": to gain benefit or avoid misfortune by chance 侦 zhēn to spy; to secretly investigate or scout 侨 qiáo to reside abroad 侮 wǔ to bully, to treat with contempt 侵 qīn to invade, to encroach on others' rights 俊 jùn handsome; good-looking (opposite of ugly) 俏 qiào handsome; good-looking; nimble and graceful 俘 fú prisoner of war; captive 俭 jiǎn frugal, thrifty (opposite of 奢) 俯 fǔ to bow one's head, face downward (opposite of 仰) 倔 juè straightforward in character, blunt in speech 倘 tǎng if; supposing that 倚 yǐ to lean against 倦 juàn tired, weary 债 zhài debt (money owed to others) 偏 piān not straight; off-center; tilted (opposite of 正) 僚 liáo government official 僧 sēng Buddhist monk 僵 jiāng stiff, rigid (of limbs) 僻 pì remote, far from the center
2.2 丨 gǔn — vertical stroke component, meaning 'passing through up and down'
丨 is a component in 8 characters
HSK 1
中 zhōng center; middle point equidistant from all sides 候 hòu to wait; to await
HSK 3
旧 jiù old; outdated (opposite of '新')
HSK 4
引 yǐn to pull; to tug 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)
HSK 6
串 chuàn to thread or string things together 兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one
HSK 7
陋 lòu ugly; unsightly
2.3 乛 zhé — hook/turning stroke component in Chinese characters
乛 is a component in 2 characters
HSK 1
买 mǎi to buy; to purchase (opposite of 卖) 候 hòu to wait; to await
2.4 一 yī — the smallest positive integer; one (①used before a measure word ②used before a noun ③indicates a single action or a brief/tentative action)
一 is a component in 58 characters
HSK 1
下 xià lower position (opposite of 上): ① positioned below (opposite of 上); ② later in order or time; ③ within a certain range, condition, or circumstance 两 liǎng two (used before measure words and 半, 千, 万, 亿) 事 shì matter; affair; everything that happens in nature and society 候 hòu to wait; to await 元 yuán the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), founded by Kublai Khan
Show more HSK 1 characters (+10)
兴 xīng to be popular; to be in vogue 再 zài twice; a second time 前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 天 tiān sky 子 zǐ child (son or daughter in ancient usage); now specifically son 师 shī teacher; instructor (one who imparts knowledge or skills) 本 běn root or stem of a plant 正 zhèng straight; upright (opposite of crooked or tilted) 百 bǎi hundred (the number 100) 贵 guì expensive; of high value (opposite of 贱)
HSK 2
夫 fū general term for an adult man 画 huà to draw or paint (with a brush or similar tool)
HSK 3
其 qí pronoun: ① he, they ② his, their ③ that, those 合 hé to close; to shut; to bring together (opposite of 开) 夏 xià summer (the second of the four seasons) 带 dài ribbon, strip, or belt-shaped object 应 yìng to reply; to answer
Show more HSK 3 characters (+7)
或 huò perhaps; maybe 更 gēng to change; to replace; to substitute 末 mò tip or end of an object 求 qiú to beg, to implore 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲) 行 xíng to walk; to go
HSK 4
亚 yà inferior (mostly used in negative constructions) 亲 qīn related by blood or marriage; esp. parents 具 jù tool; utensil; implement 咸 xián (lit.) all; everyone (classical adverb) 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)
HSK 5
善 shàn kind; benevolent; charitable (opposite of 恶) 威 wēi authority or power that commands awe and respect 旦 dàn dawn; early morning 未 wèi not yet (opposite of 已) 武 wǔ military; martial (opposite of civil/literary "文")
HSK 6
兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one 德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 拜 bài to bow or salute as a show of respect 灭 miè go out; stop burning or shining (opposite of 着) 衰 shuāi to decline, to weaken
HSK 7
丘 qiū small hill; mound 丙 bǐng third of the ten Heavenly Stems; used to indicate third in order 丛 cóng to cluster together, to gather in a mass 兹 zī (lit., class.) demonstrative pronoun: this; this one 兽 shòu beast; mammal (generally referring to four-legged, fur-covered mammals)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+9)
拯 zhěng to rescue, to save 朱 zhū vermilion, bright red 胚 pēi embryo; organism in early development, formed from fertilized or unfertilized egg 蒙 méng ignorant, lacking knowledge 贮 zhù to store; to stockpile 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺) 遣 qiǎn to dispatch; to send 陋 lòu ugly; unsightly 隆 lóng grand; magnificent
2.5 矢 shǐ — arrow
矢 is a component in 9 characters
HSK 1
候 hòu to wait; to await 医 yī doctor; physician 知 zhī knowledge, learning
HSK 3
短 duǎn short (opposite of 长); ① in space ② in time 矮 ǎi short in stature
HSK 5
疾 jí illness; disease
HSK 6
矩 jǔ carpenter's square; try square used to draw right angles or rectangles
HSK 7
矣 yǐ classical sentence-final particle: ① indicating completion (equivalent to '了'), ② indicating exclamation, ③ indicating command 矫 jiǎo to correct; to straighten what is bent

Stroke order