shí
hou
(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

時候 (Traditional: 時候)

HSK 1

Dictionary

time/length of time/moment/period

Examples

你什么时候有空?我们一起吃饭吧。

Nǐ shénme shíhou yǒu kòng? Wǒmen yìqǐ chīfàn ba.

When do you have free time? Let's have a meal together.

Did You Know?

Grammar

Word Formation

时 means 'time' and 候 means 'to wait/season'.

Usage Tips

时候 is used with 的 (de) to form time clauses: 我吃饭的时候 (when I eat), not alone — use 时间 (shíjiān) for 'time' as a concept (e.g., 没有时间, no time).