Definition
时辰 is a traditional Chinese time unit that divides the day into 12 two-hour periods, each named after an earthly branch (e.g., 子时, 午时). In modern prose, it can also refer broadly to 'time' or 'a specific point in time', especially in literary or formal contexts — like saying 'the hour has come'. The word carries a classical, slightly poetic weight that 时间 does not have.
n.
one of the 12 two-hour periods of the day in traditional Chinese timekeeping(literary) timemomenthour
Examples
- 时辰。Gǔdài rén bǎ yì tiān fēn chéng shí'èr gè shí chen.Ancient people divided a day into twelve two-hour periods.
- 时辰？Nǐ jìde tā líkāi de quèqiè shí chen ma?Do you remember the exact time he left?
- 时辰，。shí chen yǐ dào, wǒmen chūfā ba.The hour has come; let's set out.
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