隨時 / 随时
suíshí
In Chinese, 'anytime' can be expressed as 隨時 / 随时 (suíshí). Wiktionary also lists 任何時候 / 任何时候 (rènhé shíhou) and 無論何時 / 无论何时 (wúlùn héshí).
Meaning: at any time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 隨時 / 随时 | suíshí |
| 任何時候 / 任何时候 | rènhé shíhou |
| 無論何時 / 无论何时 | wúlùn héshí |
What does it mean word for word?
The word 隨時 is composed of 隨, meaning 'to follow' or 'at the mercy of' and 時, meaning 'time'.
Which one should you use?
The term 隨時 is a concise adverb commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. In contrast, 任何時候 / 任何时候 is more descriptive and places a stronger emphasis on the 'any' aspect of the phrase. The form 無論何時 / 无论何时 carries a slightly different nuance of 'no matter when' or 'regardless of when', often functioning in a conditional sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, 隨時 typically functions as an adverb and is placed before the verb it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
suíshí
Did you know?
- In English, you might say 'Anytime!' as a casual reply to 'Thank you', but doing so in Chinese with 隨時 would sound unnatural and confusing to a native speaker.
- The character 隨 in 隨時 is also used in the term for 'following the current' or 'going with the flow', linking the idea of 'anytime' to a lack of resistance to the timing of events.
- The character 隨 is also the root for words meaning 'attendant' or 'follower', which subtly links the idea of 'anytime' to being at someone's disposal.
Examples in context
- 请随时联系我。Please contact me anytime.
- 无论何时，我们都会尽力提供帮助。We will do our best to assist you anytime.
- 你想见面吗？随便什么时候都可以。Do you want to meet? Anytime works for me.
- 有問題請隨時找我。If you have any questions, please feel free to look for me anytime.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “anytime” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
