‘时钟’ (shí zhōng) literally means ‘time bell’—‘时’ (shí) means ‘time’, and ‘钟’ (zhōng) originally referred to a large ceremonial bell but evolved to mean ‘clock’ or ‘bell’ in modern usage. Together, they denote a mechanical or analog device that displays the time, typically with hour and minute hands on a circular face. Unlike digital displays (which use ‘电子钟’ or ‘数字钟’), ‘时钟’ usually implies a traditional clock—wall-mounted, desk-standing, or antique—though it can also refer to any non-digital timepiece in everyday speech.

This word is neutral in register and widely used in homes, offices, schools, and public spaces. It’s distinct from ‘手表’ (wànbǐao, wristwatch) and ‘闹钟’ (nàozhōng, alarm clock), though those are types of clocks; ‘时钟’ emphasizes function and form rather than portability or alarm features. You’ll often see it in contexts involving timekeeping, punctuality, or decorative objects.