Definition
倒计时 (dào jì shí) specifically means 'to count down' the remaining time until an event, like New Year or a rocket launch. 倒数 (dào shǔ) also means 'to count down' time, but it additionally means 'to count from the bottom' in rankings (e.g., 倒数第一 'last place'). Use 倒计时 for time countdowns; use 倒数 for both time countdowns and positional counting.
verb
to count down (the remaining time)
Examples
- ，倒计时。Xīnnián zhōngshēng qiāoxiǎng qián, quánchǎng yìqǐ dào jì shí.Before the New Year bell rang, the whole audience counted down together.
- ，倒计时。Huǒjiàn fāshè shí, zhǐhuīyuán dào jì shí shí miǎo.During the rocket launch, the commander counted down ten seconds.
- ，倒计时。Bǐsài jiéshù qián, cáipàn kāishǐ dào jì shí.Before the match ended, the referee started the countdown.
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