时 stroke order 时 chinese writing meaning 时 chinese character tattoos

I. The Core Meaning of the Chinese Character "时" (shí)

The character "时" (shí) is a profoundly important and multi-layered character. Its core meaning is "time," "season," or "era." It encapsulates the concept of time in all its forms—from a single moment to a vast historical period.

1. Literal & Temporal Meanings:

  • Time:

    • 时间 (shíjiān) - Time.

  • Season:

    • 季节 (jìjié) - Season (though 时 itself carries this meaning, e.g., 四时 - the four seasons).

  • Hour; O'clock:

    • 几点钟? (Jǐ diǎn zhōng?) - What time is it? (The answer would use 点, but 时 is the formal word for hour).

  • Era; Period:

    • 时代 (shídài) - Era; age; period.

2. Figurative & Philosophical Meanings:
This is where the character gains its immense depth, deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy.

  • Timeliness; Seizing the Moment: This is a crucial concept. The idiom 与时俱进 (yǔ shí jù jìn) means "to keep pace with the times," emphasizing adaptability and progress. The Confucian ideal is to act "in a timely way" (时中), meaning to do the right thing at the right moment.

  • Opportunity; The Right Moment: "时" often implies a fleeting chance that must be seized. It's not just passive time, but active timing.

  • Change and Impermanence: As the seasons change, "时" represents the constant, inevitable flow and transformation of all things. It is a reminder of the transient nature of life.

3. Character Construction:
The character is composed of two parts:

  • 日 (rì): The "sun" radical on the left. This directly links time to the solar cycle—the ultimate natural clock.

  • 寸 (cùn): The "inch" or "measurement" radical on the right.

The structure brilliantly represents "the measurement of the sun." It is a pictograph of how ancient timekeeping worked, measuring the sun's shadow to mark the passage of hours and seasons.


II. "时" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Considerations

A tattoo of "时" is a sophisticated, philosophical, and highly recommended choice. It serves as a permanent meditation on the nature of existence and our place within the flow of time.

Common and Positive Meanings:

  1. A Reminder to Seize the Moment (Carpe Diem): This is the most powerful and popular meaning. The tattoo can be a personal mantra to live in the present, to cherish every moment, and to seize opportunities as they arise. It's a call to action against procrastination and regret.

  2. Acceptance of Change and Flow: The tattoo can symbolize a deep understanding and acceptance of life's constant changes—of joy and sorrow, beginnings and endings, just like the changing seasons. It represents resilience and the wisdom to go with the flow of life.

  3. A Connection to History and Legacy: It can represent a respect for the past ("in times past"), a connection to one's heritage, or a desire to be a defining figure of one's "时代" (era).

  4. A Celebration of a Specific Moment: It can commemorate a specific, transformative "time" in one's life—a birth, a reunion, a personal victory.

⚠️ Important Considerations & Potential Drawbacks

"时" is a very safe and profoundly positive tattoo. Its main challenge is its subtlety.

  • Subtlety of Meaning: The profound philosophical meanings (seizing the moment, impermanence) are not immediately obvious to everyone. The character itself simply means "time." The deeper personal significance must be carried by the wearer.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The character "时" is a highly recommended, elegant, and intellectually rich choice for a tattoo.

It is a symbol that represents:

  • Presence (the power of the current moment)

  • Change (the natural and constant flow of life)

  • Opportunity (the importance of timely action)

  • Cycle (the eternal return of the seasons)

If you are a person who reflects on the nature of time, who seeks to live a life of purpose and presence, and who finds wisdom in the natural cycles of the world, then "时" is a perfect emblem. It is more nuanced than simply tattooing "time"; it is a call to mindful and timely action within the river of time.

How to Write "时" (Stroke Order)

The stroke order for "时" is straightforward and essential for its balanced structure.

  1. First (Left Radical "日"): 丨 (Vertical) - The left vertical stroke.

  2. Second (Left Radical "日"): 𠃍 (Vertical Hook) - The top and right side.

  3. Third (Left Radical "日"): 一 (Horizontal) - The middle horizontal stroke.

  4. Fourth (Left Radical "日"): 一 (Horizontal) - The bottom horizontal stroke.

  5. Fifth (Right Part "寸"): 一 (Horizontal) - The top horizontal stroke.

  6. Sixth (Right Part "寸"): 亅 (Vertical Hook) - The vertical hook.

  7. Seventh (Right Part "寸"): 丶 (Dot) - The dot.

Writing Tip: The "日" component should be slightly narrow and vertical, while the "寸" component is wider, with the hook stroke extending down to balance the character. The dot should be placed precisely, giving the character a sense of stability and measure, perfectly reflecting its meaning of "measuring the sun."

时字意思【meaning】

时字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

时shí（ㄕˊ）

⒈  一切事物不断发展变化所经历的过程：时间。时不我与。

⒉  较长的时间：时代。古时。

⒊  泛指一段时间：时光。时令。时分。

⒋  现在的，当前的：当时。时下。时务。时宜。

⒌  常常：时常。学而时习之。

⒍  一年中的一季：时序。四时如春。

⒎  旧时的记时单位，一昼夜十二分之一为一“时辰”，深夜十一点至次日凌晨一点为“子时”，中午十一点至一点为“午时”。

⒏  现在的记时单位，一昼夜的二十四分之一：时钟。时差（chā）。

⒐  某一时刻：按时上班。

⒑  不定时，有时候：时而。时阴时晴。

⒒  机会：时机。待时而动。

⒓  姓。

时的异体字【Variant】

  • 時

  • 旹

  • 峕

时字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

days、hour、occasionally、opportunity、seanson、time

时的英文翻译【English Translation】

time, season; era, age, period

时字组词【Word Grouping】

夏时;时荣;积时;时期;时下;时效;以时;六时;正时;时候;同时;临时;适时;子时;时针;

时字取名的寓意【The meaning of the name】

时字取名寓指时来运转、惜时如金之意。中性字，用字频率为百分名字中使用了1523次，点击查看时字起名

时字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】：

时字取名义指阳刚,可爱,魅力之义;

时配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名时配什么字最好【What word is best?】?时配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配讯、奋、略、邱、俭等字起名大气好听的。女孩时字配什么字好听可配倩、薇、芳、媛、蓓等字起名最好听。

与时字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

  • shi jie时杰

  • shi gen时根

  • shi yue时岳

  • shi fei时飞

  • shi yang时扬

  • jin shi晋时

与时字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

  • shi fen时芬

  • shi li时莉

  • shi ting时婷

  • shi ying时樱

  • shi yuan时媛

  • shi jing时净

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