For HSK learners, understanding how to express and inquire about duration is crucial. One of the most common ways to ask "how long" in Mandarin Chinese is by using the phrase '多久' (duō jiǔ). This article will explore the usage of '多久' and related time expressions to help you improve your Chinese language skills.
Understanding '多久' (duō jiǔ)
'多久' is composed of two characters:
- 多 (duō): meaning "many" or "much"
- 久 (jiǔ): meaning "long time"
When combined, '多久' is used to ask "how long" in terms of duration.
Basic Sentence Structure
The basic structure for asking "how long" using '多久' is:
[Subject] + [Verb] + 多久 + [Object/Action]?
For example:
- 你学中文学了多久？ (Nǐ xué zhōngwén xué le duō jiǔ?) "How long have you been studying Chinese?"
Answering '多久' Questions
To answer questions about duration, you can use various time expressions. Here are some common ones:
- X 年 (nián) - X years
- X 个月 (gè yuè) - X months
- X 周 (zhōu) or X 个星期 (gè xīngqī) - X weeks
- X 天 (tiān) - X days
- X 小时 (xiǎoshí) - X hours
- X 分钟 (fēnzhōng) - X minutes
Example answer:
- 我学中文学了三年了。 (Wǒ xué zhōngwén xué le sān nián le.) "I have been studying Chinese for three years."
Other Uses of '多久'
'多久' can also be used in statements, not just questions:
-
Expressing a duration of time:
- 我们认识多久了？ (Wǒmen rènshi duō jiǔ le?) "How long have we known each other?"
-
In comparative sentences:
- 你比我学习汉语多久？ (Nǐ bǐ wǒ xuéxí hànyǔ duō jiǔ?) "How much longer have you been studying Chinese than me?"
HSK Vocabulary Related to Time and Duration
As you progress through HSK levels, you'll encounter more sophisticated ways to discuss time and duration. Here are some useful words and phrases:
- 持续 (chíxù) - to continue, to last
- 经历 (jīnglì) - to experience, to go through
- 时间跨度 (shíjiān kuàdù) - time span
- 长期 (chángqī) - long-term
- 短期 (duǎnqī) - short-term
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of '多久' and time expressions, try these exercises:
- Create three questions using '多久' about different activities.
- Write answers to those questions using various time expressions.
- Translate the following sentence into Chinese: "I have been living in China for 2 years and 3 months."
Remember, mastering time expressions and duration questions is essential for advancing your Chinese language skills and performing well on the HSK exams. Keep practicing, and you'll soon be comfortable discussing "how long" in various contexts!