시간 vs 기간
Korean word comparison
Listen to 시간
Listen to 기간
| 시간 | 기간 |
|---|---|
shi-GAN noun | gi-gan noun |
| time; the ongoing sequence of events, a moment, or a duration measured in hours/minutes | a period or interval with a defined start and end; a span of time (often formal or bounded) |
How they differ
기간 specifically denotes a bounded interval or term (e.g., contract period, course length) and stresses the span between start and end points, while 시간 can mean either a point or an amount of time without implying clearly defined boundaries.
When to use each
When to use 시간: Prefer 시간 when focusing on the amount of time spent or on clock-based measures (hours/minutes).
When to use 기간: Prefer 기간 when indicating a defined term or interval with clear start and end dates (e.g., 'the rental period is one month').
Side-by-side examples
- 시험 준비를 위해 시간을 많이 썼어요.
(I spent a lot of time preparing for the exam.) - 시험 준비 기간은 보통 두 달이에요.
(The preparation period for the exam is usually two months.)
Register & nuance: 기간 is more formal and common in official, administrative, or written contexts (contracts, announcements, schedules) than 시간.