Chinese word

段

Pronunciation

Pinyinduàn

Meaning

  • measure wordperiod

Example

我在这一段时间很忙。wǒ zài zhè yí duàn shí jiān hěn máng

I am very busy during this period.

Illustration for 段 (period)

More examples

过一段时间，他就适应了新环境。guò yí duàn shí jiān tā jiù shì yìng le xīn huán jìng

After a while, he got used to the new environment.

Core concept

One connected slice of a larger whole, viewed as a unit with its own beginning and end.

Common phrases

  • 在这一段时间zài zhè yí duàn shí jiān

    during this period

  • 过一段时间guò yí duàn shí jiān

    after a while

  • 一段时间后yí duàn shí jiān hòu

    after a while

Similar words

次cì: Counts how often an event or action happens in general.
回huí: Counts a specific number of times an event or action happens.
遍biàn: Counts each complete performance of an action from start to finish.
趟tàng: Counts journeys or errands made by going somewhere and coming back.

Definition in Chinese

表示时间、路程、事情或文字等的一部分；也可作量词，表示某一段整体的长度或期间，例如“一段时间”“一段路”。biǎo shì shí jiān lù chéng shì qíng huò wén zì děng de yí bù fèn yě kě zuò liàng cí biǎo shì mǒu yí duàn zhéng tǐ de cháng dù huò qī jiān lì rú yí duàn shí jiān yí duàn lù

Word origin

段 (duàn, "section") developed from the idea of dividing something into separate sections, which explains its use for parts of texts, journeys, events, and time.

Usage tips

  • A time expression with this word can sound natural without an exact start or end, which helps when the duration is only approximate.

Other meanings

  • paragraphnoun
  • partnoun

Word lists with this word