时刻

shí kè

CL 个 gè

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Common

Definitions

1. time
2. juncture
3. moment
4. period of time
5. constantly
6. always

Word relationships

Related words

3 items

• 时候 shí hou 时候 shí hou time 时候 means 'time' or 'moment' in a general sense, while 时刻 emphasizes a specific or critical point in time.: time
• 经常 jīng cháng 经常 jīng cháng frequently; constantly; regularly; often When 时刻 is used as an adverb meaning 'constantly' or 'always', 经常 means 'often' and is less emphatic.: frequently; constantly; regularly; often
• 永远 yǒng yuǎn 永远 yǒng yuǎn forever 永远 means 'forever' or 'always' in a permanent sense, whereas 时刻 as an adverb suggests 'at every moment'.: forever

Usage notes

Collocations

时刻准备着 is a fixed phrase meaning 'be ready at all times', commonly used in motivational contexts.

Common mistakes

As a noun, 时刻 is usually used with specific moments (e.g., 关键时刻 'critical moment'); do not use it for general time durations like 时候.

Example Sentences

2 shown

在这个 时刻 ，他来了。

At this moment, he came.

在千钧一发的 时刻 ，他救了那个孩子。

At the critical moment, he saved the child.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 时刻

• 时刻准备 时刻准备 shí kè zhǔn bèi: ready at any moment
• 时刻表 时刻表 shí kè biǎo: timetable
• 时时刻刻 时时刻刻 shí shí kè kè: at all times

Child Words of 时刻

• 刻 刻 kè: quarter (hour)
• 时 时 shí: o'clock