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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'at the time of' with 时 (shí)

    Aspect & Tense
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Verb/Event + 时

    Explanation

    时 (shí) means "time" or "at the time of" and functions as a time-reference word in Chinese. When placed after a phrase or clause, it indicates "when" or "at the moment that." For example, 吃饭时 means "at the time of eating" or "while eating."

    Examples

    • 吃饭时不要看手机，对眼睛不好。

      Chī fàn shí bú yào kàn shǒujī, duì yǎnjīng bù hǎo.

      Don't look at your phone while eating; it's bad for your eyes.

    • 上课时请把手机调成静音。

      Shàng kè shí qǐng bǎ shǒujī tiáo chéng jìngyīn.

      Please set your phone to silent mode during class.

    • 下雨时，街上的人都在跑。

      Xià yǔ shí, jiē shàng de rén dōu zài pǎo.

      When it rained, everyone on the street was running.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'at the time of' with 时 (shí) | Chinese Grammar