How to say “when” in Chinese with 时 (shí)
Time + 时 (shí)
时 (shí) — when, at the time of
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.
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.
Build the sentence
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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