Time Words Used as Adverbials in Mandarin Chinese

In Mandarin Chinese, time words can be used as adverbials to indicate the time at which an action happens or the duration of an action.

1. Time of Action:

Time words can specify when an action occurs.

• 我昨天去了图书馆。 (Wǒ zuótiān qùle túshū guǎn.) - I went to the library yesterday.
• 他每天早上跑步。 (Tā měitiān zǎoshang pǎobù.) - He runs every morning.

2. Duration of Action:

Time words can indicate the duration of an action.

• 我等了两个小时。 (Wǒ děngle liǎng gè xiǎoshí.) - I waited for two hours.
• 她学了一年汉语。 (Tā xuéle yī nián hànyǔ.) - She studied Chinese for one year.