时
shí
Time
How to say “when” in Chinese with 时 (shí)
Time + 时 (shí)
时 (shí) — when, at the time of
HSK 3Nouns
Time + 时 (shí)
HSK 3Nouns时 (shí) — when, at the time of
Rule structure
时 (shí) is a formal way to say "when," close in meaning to 的时候 (de shíhou). It creates a time clause and is more common in written or formal Chinese.
Rule structure
时 (shí) is a formal way to say "when," close in meaning to 的时候 (de shíhou). It creates a time clause and is more common in written or formal Chinese.
Examples
回家时，给我打个电话。
Huí jiā shí, gěi wǒ dǎ gè diànhuà.
Give me a call when you go home.
吃饭时要慢点。
Chīfàn shí yào màndiǎn.
You should eat slowly when you are eating.
回家时给我打电话。
Huíjiā shí gěi wǒ dǎdiànhuà.
Call me when you go home.
Examples
回家时，给我打个电话。
Huí jiā shí, gěi wǒ dǎ gè diànhuà.
Give me a call when you go home.
吃饭时要慢点。
Chīfàn shí yào màndiǎn.
You should eat slowly when you are eating.
回家时给我打电话。
Huíjiā shí gěi wǒ dǎdiànhuà.
Call me when you go home.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “when, at the time of” in Chinese with 时?
Use the structure: Time + 时 (shí). For example: 回家时，给我打个电话。 — “Give me a call when you go home”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
回家时，给我打个电话。 — “Give me a call when you go home”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
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More HSK 3 grammar rules
刚才 — just now
刚才 (gāngcái) + Verb
以后 — in the future
以后 (yǐhòu)，⋯⋯
后来 — later, afterwards
Event 1，后来 (hòulái) Event 2
以前 — before, previously
以前 (yǐqián)，⋯⋯
一边 — doing two things at once
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
如果…就 — if… then…
如果 (rúguǒ)……，就 (jiù)……
万 — big numbers
Number + 万 (wàn) / 亿 (yì)
地 — turning adjectives into adverbs
Adj. + 地 (de) + Verb