The Mandarin Chinese phrase for "when" is 什么时候 in simplified form. Knowing this phrase is essential for scheduling meetings, whether for business or leisure.

Characters

The first two characters 什么 (shén me) mean "what". The last two characters 时候 (shí hou) mean "time" or "length of time".

Put together, 什么时候 literally means "what time". However, "when" is a more correct translation of the phrase. If you want to ask "What time is it?", you would usually say: 现在几点了 (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn le)?

Pronunciation

The phrase is made up of four characters: 什么时候. 什 is pronounced "shén," which is in the 2nd tone. The pinyin for 么 is "me", which is unaccented and thus has no tone. The pinyin for 时 is "shí", which is in the 2nd tone. Finally, 候 is pronounced as "hou". This character is also unaccented.

Sentence examples

你什么时候去上海?

nǐ shén me shí hou qù shàng hǎi?

When are you going to Shanghai?

他什么时候要来?

tā shén me shí hou yào lái?

When is he coming?

Source: ThoughtCo.