Chinese Conversation · Level 11
90 words
Chinese word
定时器
Pronunciation
Pinyindìng shí qì
Meaning
- nountimer
Example
请把定时器设为三十分钟。qǐng bǎ dìng shí qì shè wèi sān shí fēn zhōng
Please set the timer to thirty minutes.
More examples
做蛋糕的时候，我会把定时器设好。zuò dàn gāo de shí hòu wǒ huì bǎ dìng shí qì shè hǎo
When I make a cake, I set the timer.
Core concept
A time-based trigger that waits for a set point, then gives a signal or controls an action.
Common phrases
设定定时器shè dìng dìng shí qì
set the timer
调整定时器时间tiáo zhěng dìng shí qì shí jiān
adjust the timer duration
更换定时器电池gēng huàn dìng shí qì diàn chí
replace the timer battery
Similar words
闹钟nào zhōng: A clock or clock function that makes a sound at a set time to wake someone or remind them.
计时器jì shí qì: A device or function that measures how much time passes or how long an activity lasts.
倒计时dào jì shí: A display or function that reduces the remaining time to zero and signals when it ends.
Definition in Chinese
指可以预先设定时间，在到点或倒计时结束时自动发出提醒或触发、停止某项动作的物理装置或软件功能。zhǐ ké yǐ yù xiān shè dìng shí jiān zài dào diǎn huò dào jì shí jié shù shí zì dòng fā chū tí xǐng huò chù fā tíng zhǐ mǒu xiàng dòng zuò de wù lǐ zhuāng zhì huò ruǎn jiàn gōng néng
Word origin
The compound 定时器 (dìngshíqì, "timer") combines the ideas of setting a time and using a device, so its meaning extends naturally from hardware to software.
Usage tips
- For conversational use, the word fits cooking, washing, air-conditioning, and phone settings, where the time setting controls what happens next rather than merely showing elapsed time.