Chinese Time Characters Learning

Master Chinese time vocabulary, expressions, and cultural concepts through interactive learning

Essential Chinese Time Characters

Learn the fundamental time-related characters used in daily Chinese conversation

Basic Time Units

nián
Year
今年 (jīn nián) - this year
yuè
Month
一月 (yī yuè) - January
Day
今日 (jīn rì) - today
shí
Hour
三时 (sān shí) - 3 o'clock
fēn
Minute
十分 (shí fēn) - 10 minutes
miǎo
Second
五秒 (wǔ miǎo) - 5 seconds

Days of the Week

星期一
xīng qī yī
Monday
星期二
xīng qī èr
Tuesday
星期三
xīng qī sān
Wednesday
星期四
xīng qī sì
Thursday
星期五
xīng qī wǔ
Friday
星期六
xīng qī liù
Saturday
星期日
xīng qī rì
Sunday

Seasons

chūn
Spring
春天 (chūn tiān) - spring
xià
Summer
夏天 (xià tiān) - summer
qiū
Autumn
秋天 (qiū tiān) - autumn
dōng
Winter
冬天 (dōng tiān) - winter

Interactive Time Learning Tools

Practice Chinese time characters with our interactive tools and exercises

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Time Converter

Convert between different time formats and learn Chinese time expressions

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Calendar Practice

Learn Chinese calendar characters and date expressions

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Time Quiz

Test your knowledge of Chinese time vocabulary and characters

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Writing Practice

Practice writing time-related characters with stroke order guides

Chinese Time Culture & Traditions

Explore the cultural significance of time in Chinese language and traditions

Traditional Chinese Calendar

Learn about the lunar calendar (农历) and its importance in Chinese culture. Discover how traditional festivals are determined by lunar cycles.

  • 农历 (lunar calendar)
  • 节气 (solar terms)
  • 生肖 (Chinese zodiac)
  • 时辰 (traditional hours)

Chinese Festivals & Time

Understand how time concepts are embedded in Chinese festivals and celebrations throughout the year.

  • 春节 (Spring Festival)
  • 中秋节 (Mid-Autumn Festival)
  • 端午节 (Dragon Boat Festival)
  • 清明节 (Qingming Festival)

Business Time Expressions

Master professional time-related vocabulary for business and formal communication in Chinese.

  • 会议时间 (meeting time)
  • 截止日期 (deadline)
  • 工作时间 (working hours)
  • 营业时间 (business hours)

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about learning Chinese time characters

How do I say "What time is it?" in Chinese?

You can say "现在几点了?" (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn le?) or "现在几点?" (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn?).

What's the difference between 时 and 点?

Both mean "hour" but 点 is more commonly used in spoken Chinese, while 时 is more formal and used in written Chinese.

How do I express dates in Chinese?

Chinese dates follow the format: Year年 Month月 Day日. For example: 2024年12月19日 (December 19, 2024).

What are the Chinese zodiac animals?

The 12 zodiac animals are: 鼠, 牛, 虎, 兔, 龙, 蛇, 马, 羊, 猴, 鸡, 狗, 猪 (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig).

How do I learn Chinese time characters effectively?

Practice regularly with flashcards, use time-related vocabulary in daily conversations, and learn the cultural context behind each character.

Are there different ways to express time in traditional vs simplified Chinese?

While the basic time concepts are the same, some traditional characters may differ from simplified forms, but the core time vocabulary remains consistent.