In Chinese culture, as in many others, time is viewed as a valuable, finite resource. The term 费时 reflects this pragmatic outlook. It's a common and practical descriptor for tasks that require patience and endurance. A key cultural distinction is how 费时 is perceived. In a fast-paced Western context, “time-consuming” is almost always a negative criticism, implying inefficiency. In China, while efficiency is also valued, 费时 can sometimes be a neutral, factual description of a process that is inherently slow but valuable. For example, preparing a traditional holiday feast is undoubtedly 费时, but the time spent is part of the cultural ritual and an expression of care for one's family. Similarly, traditional crafts like embroidery (刺绣 cìxiù) are praised for the skill they demonstrate, even though they are extremely 费时. So, while the term points to a high cost in time, it doesn't automatically mean the activity is a “waste of time.”
费时 is a versatile word used in both formal and informal settings.
The most common mistake for learners is confusing 费时 (fèi shí) with 浪费时间 (làngfèi shíjiān).
Think of it this way: Building a ship is 费时, but watching pointless videos for hours is 浪费时间. Using 浪费时间 to describe building a ship would imply the entire endeavor was a mistake.