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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "time" with 时间 (shíjiān)

    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Modifier + 时间

    Explanation

    The noun 时间 (shíjiān) means "time" and can refer to a point in time, a duration, or time in general. It is one of the most common nouns in Chinese and frequently appears with modifiers like 当地 (local) to specify a time reference, as in 当地时间 (local time).

    Examples

    • 你有时间的话，我们一起喝杯咖啡吧。

      Nǐ yǒu shíjiān de huà, wǒmen yīqǐ hē bēi kāfēi ba.

      If you have time, let's grab a cup of coffee together.

    • 当地时间下午三点，会议正式开始。

      Dāngdì shíjiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn, huìyì zhèngshì kāishǐ.

      At three o'clock local time in the afternoon, the meeting officially began.

    • 学中文需要花很多时间练习。

      Xué Zhōngwén xūyào huā hěn duō shíjiān liànxí.

      Learning Chinese requires spending a lot of time practicing.

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    Expressing "time" with 时间 (shíjiān) | Chinese Grammar