期限 qīxiàn time limit
time limit; deadline; allotted time
How to remember 期限: 期 a period of time + 限 boundary = time limit.
Characters
How it is used
- A time limit/deadline/allotted period - 还款期限 (huánkuǎn qīxiàn) repayment deadline, 超过期限 (chāoguò qīxiàn) exceed the time limit.
- Refers to the fixed span or cutoff by which something must be done.
- Contrast 截止日期 (jiézhǐ rìqī, the specific due date); 期限 can mean the whole allowed period or the deadline.
Example sentences
- 期限近了。 Qīxiàn jìn le.The deadline is approaching.
- 汤姆不知道今天是期限。 Tāngmǔ bù zhīdào jīntiān shì qīxiàn.Tom didn't know the deadline was today.