季度

jìdù: 季度 - Quarter (of a year)

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 季度, jidu, Chinese quarter, financial quarter, business quarter, quarterly report, Chinese business terms, time periods in Chinese, HSK 4 vocabulary
  • Summary: The Chinese word 季度 (jìdù) translates directly to “quarter” or “quarterly period.” It refers to a three-month division of the year, primarily used in business, finance, and administrative contexts. Understanding 季度 is essential for discussing company performance, financial reports (季度报告), and strategic planning in a professional Chinese-speaking environment.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): jìdù
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: A period of three months; a quarter of a year.
  • In a Nutshell: 季度 is the standard, formal term for one of the four three-month periods that make up a year (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4). While the character `季` alone can mean “season,” the full word `季度` strips away any connection to weather or nature and refers specifically to a fixed, administrative block of time. It's a key vocabulary word for anyone working or doing business in China.

Character Breakdown

  • 季 (jì): This character's original meaning was related to “young” or “the end of a sequence.” This evolved to mean the last month of a natural season, and eventually, the “season” itself (a three-month period). Think of it as a block of three months.
  • 度 (dù): This character means “degree,” “measure,” or “period of time.” It adds a sense of a measured, defined interval.
  • When combined, 季度 (jìdù) literally means a “measured season” or “seasonal period,” perfectly capturing the idea of a formal, defined three-month block of time.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • The concept of the `季度` is a modern one in China, directly tied to its integration into the global economy. While traditional Chinese culture operates on a lunar calendar and is deeply connected to the natural seasons (`季节`, jìjié) for agriculture and festivals, the `季度` system (Q1, Q2, etc.) is an adopted standard from international business practice.
  • Comparison with Western Culture: The use of `季度` in a business context is almost identical to the English “quarter.” Both are used for financial reporting, setting goals (KPIs), and project planning. The key difference for a learner lies in the linguistic connection to the word for “season.” In English, “quarter” and “season” are completely unrelated words. In Chinese, `季度` (quarter) is built upon the character `季` (season). This can be a point of confusion. A `季度` is a fixed calendar block (e.g., Q1 is Jan 1 - Mar 31), whereas a `季节` (season) is defined by climate and astronomy (e.g., spring starts in late March). The modern Chinese business world runs on the former, not the latter.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Business and Finance: This is the most common context. Companies issue `季度报告` (jìdù bàogào, quarterly reports), managers set `季度目标` (jìdù mùbiāo, quarterly goals), and employees might receive a `季度奖金` (jìdù jiǎngjīn, quarterly bonus). It's the standard unit for measuring short-to-medium term business performance.
  • Government and Economics: Government agencies release economic data, such as GDP growth, on a quarterly basis. You'll often hear news reports discussing `第一季度` (dì yī jìdù, first quarter) economic statistics.
  • Planning and Scheduling: In project management, tasks and deadlines are often organized by `季度`.
  • Formality: `季度` is a neutral to formal term. It belongs in the office, in reports, and in the news. You would not use it in a casual conversation about your personal life. For instance, you wouldn't say “I'm going to visit my parents next `季度`.” You would say `下个月` (xià ge yuè, next month) or `夏天` (xiàtiān, summer).

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我们公司每个季度都会发布一份财务报告。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī měi ge jìdù dōu huì fābù yī fèn cáiwù bàogào.
    • English: Our company releases a financial report every quarter.
    • Analysis: This is a classic business usage, showing the regular, cyclical nature of quarterly reporting.
  • Example 2:
    • 今年第三季度的销售额超出了我们的预期。
    • Pinyin: Jīnnián dì sān jìdù de xiāoshòu'é chāochūle wǒmen de yùqī.
    • English: This year's third-quarter sales exceeded our expectations.
    • Analysis: Here, `季度` is specified with `第三` (dì sān, the third), a common pattern (第一, 第二, 第三, 第四季度).
  • Example 3:
    • 你必须在这个季度结束前完成这个项目。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū zài zhè ge jìdù jiéshù qián wánchéng zhè ge xiàngmù.
    • English: You must complete this project before the end of this quarter.
    • Analysis: This sentence highlights its use in setting deadlines in a professional context.
  • Example 4:
    • 管理层正在为下个季度制定新的战略。
    • Pinyin: Guǎnlǐcéng zhèngzài wèi xià ge jìdù zhìdìng xīn de zhànlüè.
    • English: The management is formulating a new strategy for the next quarter.
    • Analysis: `下个季度` (next quarter) is a very common phrase in business planning.
  • Example 5:
    • 每个季度的第一个月，我们会开一次全体员工大会。
    • Pinyin: Měi ge jìdù de dì yī ge yuè, wǒmen huì kāi yī cì quántǐ yuángōng dàhuì.
    • English: In the first month of every quarter, we hold an all-staff meeting.
    • Analysis: This example clearly defines a recurring event based on the quarterly cycle.
  • Example 6:
    • 公司的利润已经连续两个季度下滑了。
    • Pinyin: Gōngsī de lìrùn yǐjīng liánxù liǎng ge jìdù xiàhuále.
    • English: The company's profits have been declining for two consecutive quarters.
    • Analysis: Shows how `季度` is used to measure trends over time, using `连续` (liánxù, consecutive).
  • Example 7:
    • 这个季度的员工奖金将根据个人表现来决定。
    • Pinyin: Zhè ge jìdù de yuángōng jiǎngjīn jiāng gēnjù gèrén biǎoxiàn lái juédìng.
    • English: This quarter's employee bonuses will be determined by individual performance.
    • Analysis: A practical example directly relating to an employee's work and compensation.
  • Example 8:
    • 第一季度包括一月、二月和三月。
    • Pinyin: Dì yī jìdù bāokuò yī yuè, èr yuè hé sān yuè.
    • English: The first quarter includes January, February, and March.
    • Analysis: A very direct sentence that could be used to clarify the meaning of `季度` itself.
  • Example 9:
    • 我们的新产品预计在第四季度上市。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen de xīn chǎnpǐn yùjì zài dì sì jìdù shàngshì.
    • English: Our new product is expected to launch in the fourth quarter.
    • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of `季度` in product roadmaps and marketing plans.
  • Example 10:
    • 这本杂志是按季度出版的。
    • Pinyin: Zhè běn zázhì shì àn jìdù chūbǎn de.
    • English: This magazine is published quarterly.
    • Analysis: `按季度` (àn jìdù) means “on a quarterly basis” or “quarterly,” a useful adverbial phrase.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `季度` (jìdù) vs. `季节` (jìjié): This is the most important distinction. Do not use them interchangeably.
    • `季度` (jìdù) is an administrative, fixed three-month period (Q1, Q2, etc.). It's about business and time, not weather.
    • `季节` (jìjié) is a natural season (spring, summer, autumn, winter). It's about weather, nature, and feelings.
    • Incorrect: `我最喜欢的季度是秋天。` (My favorite quarter is autumn.) → This is wrong. It mixes a business term with a natural season.
    • Correct: `我最喜欢的季节是秋天。` (My favorite season is autumn.)
    • Correct: `公司在第三季度的业绩很好。` (The company's performance in the third quarter was very good.)
  • `季度` (jìdù) vs. `三个月` (sān ge yuè):
    • Use `季度` when you are referring to a specific, official quarter (Q1, Q2, etc.) within a year. It implies a formal system.
    • Use `三个月` (sān ge yuè, “three months”) for any general duration of three months that isn't tied to a specific quarter.
    • Example: “The project will take three months.” → `这个项目需要三个月。` (Using `季度` here would sound strange).
    • Example: “The report for Q2 is due.” → `第二季度的报告该交了。` (Using `三个月` would be unclear which three months you mean).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 季节 (jìjié) - Natural season (spring, summer, etc.). The conceptual root, but different in practical usage.
  • 年度 (niándù) - Annual period; year. The next level up from `季度`.
  • 月度 (yuèdù) - Monthly period. A more granular, formal time division.
  • 季度报告 (jìdù bàogào) - Quarterly report. A very common collocation.
  • 财报 (cáibào) - Financial report, which is often released on a quarterly basis.
  • 上半年 (shàngbànnián) - The first half of the year (H1).
  • 下半年 (xiàbànnián) - The second half of the year (H2).
  • 指标 (zhǐbiāo) - Target, key performance indicator (KPI). Often set and reviewed on a quarterly basis.
  • 同比 (tóngbǐ) - Year-on-year (YoY). Used in quarterly reports to compare Q2 this year to Q2 last year.
  • 环比 (huánbǐ) - Quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) or month-on-month. Used to compare Q2 to Q1 of the same year.