Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== shíqī: 时期 - Period, Era, Phase ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** shiqi, shíqī, 时期, period of time in Chinese, era in Chinese, phase in Chinese, historical period, developmental stage, what is shiqi, shiqi vs shijian * **Summary:** "时期" (shíqī) is a fundamental Chinese noun used to define a specific **period**, **era**, or **phase** of time, characterized by a particular set of conditions or events. It's essential for discussing everything from historical eras like the Tang Dynasty to personal life stages like childhood or a project's "initial phase." Understanding "时期" helps learners move beyond the general concept of "time" (时间, shíjiān) to describe defined durations with specific context and meaning. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shíqī * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A particular and distinct period of time. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of "时期" not as just "time," but as a container for time. It's a block of time that has a label on it. For example, "childhood" is a "时期," the "Renaissance" is a "时期," and the "startup phase" of a company is a "时期." It gives a name and a set of characteristics to a specific duration, making it a powerful word for adding structure and context to conversations about the past, present, or future. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **时 (shí):** This character means "time" or "hour." It's composed of 日 (rì), the sun, and 寸 (cùn), an ancient unit of measurement. Together, they evoke the idea of measuring the passage of time by the movement of the sun. * **期 (qī):** This character means a "period of time," "phase," or a "scheduled date." It contains the character 月 (yuè), meaning "moon," which relates to cyclical periods like months. * When combined, **时期 (shíqī)** literally means "time-period." It takes the general concept of "time" (时) and places it into a defined, cyclical, or specific "phase" (期), creating the meaning of a distinct period with its own identity. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese culture, history is often viewed as a series of well-defined periods, each with its own name, characteristics, and lessons. The use of "时期" is central to this structured view of the past. Dynasties are not just lengths of time; they are distinct "时期" (e.g., 唐朝时期, Tángcháo shíqī - the Tang Dynasty Period). This extends to modern history, with concepts like the "改革开放时期" (gǎigé kāifàng shíqī - the Reform and Opening-Up Period) being a common and specific frame of reference for everyone. * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** While "period" is a close English equivalent, "时期" is used more systematically in everyday language to frame both historical and personal events. An American might say, "back when I was a kid," which is informal. A Chinese speaker would very naturally and slightly more formally say "在我童年时期" (zài wǒ tóngnián shíqī - during my childhood period). This reflects a cultural tendency to categorize and label segments of time, imbuing them with a sense of official or recognized status, whether for a nation's history or an individual's life. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * "时期" is a versatile and common noun used across various contexts, from formal academic writing to everyday conversation. * **Historical Context:** This is its most frequent use. It's almost always attached to a dynasty, event, or historical description. (e.g., 春秋战国时期 - Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period). * **Personal Development:** Used to describe stages of life. (e.g., 青春期 - qingchūnqī - adolescence/puberty period, 婴儿期 - yīng'érqī - infancy period). * **Projects & Processes:** Used to define phases of a plan or process. It's often combined with words like "initial," "middle," and "late." (e.g., 项目的初期 - xiàngmù de chūqī - the initial period of the project). * **Social & Economic Contexts:** Used to describe a time characterized by a specific social or economic state. (e.g., 经济困难时期 - jīngjì kùnnán shíqī - period of economic difficulty). * **Formality:** Generally neutral to slightly formal. It's more formal than just saying "that time" but is perfectly acceptable in daily speech. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 中国历史上的唐朝**时期**是一个文化非常繁荣的**时期**。 * Pinyin: Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng de Tángcháo **shíqī** shì yīgè wénhuà fēicháng fánróng de **shíqī**. * English: The Tang Dynasty period in Chinese history was a period of great cultural prosperity. * Analysis: A classic example of using "时期" to refer to a specific historical dynasty. Notice its repeated use for emphasis and clarity. * **Example 2:** * 在我的童年**时期**，我最喜欢去公园玩。 * Pinyin: Zài wǒ de tóngnián **shíqī**, wǒ zuì xǐhuān qù gōngyuán wán. * English: During my childhood period, I loved going to the park to play. * Analysis: This shows how "时期" is used for personal life stages, giving the time a specific label ("childhood period"). * **Example 3:** * 公司目前正处于一个快速发展的**时期**。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī mùqián zhèng chǔyú yīgè kuàisù fāzhǎn de **shíqī**. * English: The company is currently in a period of rapid development. * Analysis: Here, "时期" describes the current state or phase of a business. "处于...时期" (chǔyú...shíqī) is a common pattern meaning "to be in a...period." * **Example 4:** * 这是一个非常特殊的历史**时期**。 * Pinyin: Zhè shì yīgè fēicháng tèshū de lìshǐ **shíqī**. * English: This is a very special historical period. * Analysis: A simple, common phrase. The adjective "特殊" (tèshū - special) modifies "时期" to describe its unique character. * **Example 5:** * 在备考**时期**，他每天都学习到深夜。 * Pinyin: Zài bèikǎo **shíqī**, tā měitiān dōu xuéxí dào shēnyè. * English: During the exam preparation period, he studied late into the night every day. * Analysis: This demonstrates that "时期" can also refer to shorter, temporary periods defined by a specific activity (like preparing for a test). * **Example 6:** * 那段**时期**，我们的生活很困难。 * Pinyin: Nà duàn **shíqī**, wǒmen de shēnghuó hěn kùnnán. * English: During that period, our lives were very difficult. * Analysis: "段" (duàn) is a measure word often used with "时期" to mean "a stretch/segment of" a period. * **Example 7:** * 这个病毒的潜伏**时期**大约是两周。 * Pinyin: Zhège bìngdú de qiánfú **shíqī** dàyuē shì liǎng zhōu. * English: The incubation period of this virus is about two weeks. * Analysis: Shows the technical and scientific application of "时期" to mean a specific, measurable phase. Here, "潜伏期" (qiánfúqī) is a fixed term. * **Example 8:** * 国家正经历一个重要的过渡**时期**。 * Pinyin: Guójiā zhèng jīnglì yīgè zhòngyào de guòdù **shíqī**. * English: The country is undergoing an important transition period. * Analysis: "过渡时期" (guòdù shíqī) is a common collocation meaning "transition period," used in political, economic, or social contexts. * **Example 9:** * 在这个项目的初期**时期**，我们遇到了很多挑战。 * Pinyin: Zài zhège xiàngmù de chūqī **shíqī**, wǒmen yù dàole hěnduō tiǎozhàn. * English: In the initial period of this project, we encountered many challenges. * Analysis: "初期" (chūqī - initial period) is often used with "时期" to specify the beginning phase of something. You could also use "中期" (zhōngqī - middle) or "后期" (hòuqī - late). * **Example 10:** * 每个**时期**都有其独特的艺术风格。 * Pinyin: Měi gè **shíqī** dōu yǒu qí dútè de yìshù fēnggé. * English: Every period has its own unique artistic style. * Analysis: This sentence generalizes the concept, highlighting that "时期" is a way to categorize and differentiate segments of time. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **时期 (shíqī) vs. 时间 (shíjiān):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. * **时间 (shíjiān):** Refers to "time" as a general, abstract, or unspecific concept. It's the "stuff" that passes. Use it when asking "What time is it?" (现在几点**时间**？ - Xianzai jidian? Note: here 点 is more common, but 时间 works for the concept) or saying "I have no time" (我没有**时间**). * **时期 (shíqī):** Refers to a *specific, named, and defined block of time*. It's a "period." * **INCORRECT:** 我没有**时期**去购物。(Wǒ méiyǒu shíqī qù gòuwù.) This means "I don't have a historical period to go shopping," which is nonsensical. * **CORRECT:** 我没有**时间**去购物。(Wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān qù gòuwù.) - I don't have time to go shopping. * **CORRECT:** 在战争**时期**，购物很困难。(Zài zhànzhēng shíqī, gòuwù hěn kùnnán.) - During the war period, shopping was difficult. * **时期 (shíqī) vs. 时代 (shídài):** * **时期 (shíqī):** A "period." More flexible, can be long (a dynasty) or short (an exam period). It is a neutral-to-formal way of segmenting time. * **时代 (shídài):** An "era" or an "age." This implies a much longer, more significant, and transformative span of time that defines generations. It carries more historical weight. * Example: The "Information Age" is the 信息**时代** (xìnxī shídài). Within this "age," there might be many different political or economic "periods" (时期). The "Roaring Twenties" would be a "时期," but the "Industrial Age" would be a "时代." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[时代]] (shídài) - An era or age; a longer and more profound span of time than "时期". * [[阶段]] (jiēduàn) - A stage or phase, typically within a process or development. Often more granular than "时期". (e.g., The first stage of the plan). * [[期间]] (qījiān) - During a period; emphasizes the duration *within* a specified time. Often used like: 在...期间 (zài...qījiān - during the period of...). * [[时间]] (shíjiān) - The general concept of time. The opposite of "时期" in terms of specificity. * [[年代]] (niándài) - A decade (e.g., 90年代 - the 90s), or a more general "era" associated with a block of years. * [[初期]] (chūqī) - The initial period / early stage. A specific type of "时期". * [[后期]] (hòuqī) - The later period / late stage. A specific type of "时期". * [[过渡时期]] (guòdù shíqī) - A specific compound word meaning "transitional period".