What is the difference between 時間 and 時期?


I understand that both can refer to time or a period of time, but I don't
really get the difference. I've been told they aren't interchangeable, and
that 時期 has a relation to seasons, but unless 時期 is used exclusively when
talking about the time between seasons, I don't really get it.




Yes, 時期 is closer to "season", and it typically refers to time in the order of
weeks or months.

  * クリスマスの時期: Christmas season (roughly November to December)
  * クリスマスの時間: certain hours on the day of Christmas, e.g., クリスマスの時間を家族と過ごす
  * 卒業式の時期: roughly March in Japan
  * 卒業式の時間: time during a certain graduation ceremony

時期 also means "good time (in the future) for doing something", and in this
case it can even refer to a time point years later.

  * 時期が来たら答えを話します。  
I'll tell you the answer when the time comes.  
(It may be 2 weeks or 2 years from now.)

  * 時間が来たら答えを話します。  
I'll tell you the answer when time is up.  
(It may be 20 minutes or 2 hours from now.)




Yes, 時期 is closer to "season", and it typically refers to time in the order of
weeks or months.

  * クリスマスの時期: Christmas season (roughly November to December)
  * クリスマスの時間: certain hours on the day of Christmas, e.g., クリスマスの時間を家族と過ごす
  * 卒業式の時期: roughly March in Japan
  * 卒業式の時間: time during a certain graduation ceremony

時期 also means "good time (in the future) for doing something", and in this
case it can even refer to a time point years later.

  * 時期が来たら答えを話します。  
I'll tell you the answer when the time comes.  
(It may be 2 weeks or 2 years from now.)

  * 時間が来たら答えを話します。  
I'll tell you the answer when time is up.  
(It may be 20 minutes or 2 hours from now.)

