當時 / 当时
dāngshí
In Mandarin, the phrase 'then' (meaning 'at that time') can be expressed as 當時 / 当时 (dāngshí) or 那時 / 那时.
Meaning: at that time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 當時 / 当时 | dāngshí |
| 那時 / 那时 | nà shí |
What does it mean word for word?
The word 當時 / 当时 consists of 當 (at/during) and 時 (time). The word 那時 / 那时 consists of 那 (that) and 時 (time).
How do you pronounce it?
dāngshí
Did you know?
- In certain dialects like Taiwanese Hokkien, the word for 'when' is a semantic cousin to the Mandarin 當時, having evolved from the concept of 'at that time'.
- The character 時 in 當時 is the same character used in the word for 'fashion' or 'style', which is 時尚.
- When using 當時, the character 當 can also mean 'to act as' or 'to serve as', such as in the phrase 'to act as a leader'.
Examples in context
- 首先完成作业，然后你可以休息。First, complete your assignments, then you can relax.
- 如果明天下雨，那么我们就待在室内。If it's rainy tomorrow, then we'll stay indoors.
- 我先吃晚饭，接着去散步I'll have dinner first, then go for a walk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “then” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 當時, CC BY-SA 4.0.
