时刻

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 现在是决定胜负的关键时刻。▶ —
   This is the crucial moment that decides victory or defeat.
2. 我们要时刻保持警惕。▶ —
   We must stay alert at all times.

Collocations

Mnemonic

时 shí "time" + 刻 kè "to carve/quarter-hour": a Sino-Korean word "moment". ① noun: a crucial moment (关键时刻) ② adverb: constantly, every moment (时刻准备着). In Korean the noun sense dominates, but Chinese also commonly uses the adverbial "constantly", a meaning gap. Similar to 随时 in the adverb sense.

Related

Quick check

1. What parts of speech and meanings does 时刻 have?

   • noun "moment" + adverb "constantly"
   • only a verb "to time"
   • only an adjective "urgent"
   • only a conjunction