当时

• Pinyin: dāng shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 当 (dāng) — at, during; 时 (shí) — time, moment

Meaning

At that time; then. Refers to a specific moment in the past.

Used to refer back to a specific past moment when telling stories or recounting events. Often placed at the beginning of a clause. Similar to 那时候 but more concise and slightly more formal.

Examples

1. 当时我还是一个学生。 At that time, I was still a student.
2. 他当时非常生气。 He was very angry at the time.
3. 当时的情况很复杂。 The situation at that time was very complicated.

Usage Guide

Context: storytelling, recounting events, formal writing

Tone: reflective, narrative

Do Say

• 当时我不知道该怎么办。(At that time I didn't know what to do.)
• 你当时在哪儿？(Where were you at that time?)

Don't Say

• 不要用当时来说未来的事 — 当时 refers only to the past; for future time references, use 到时候 or 那个时候 instead.

Origin & History

Compound of 当 (at, during) and 时 (time). The combination pinpoints a specific moment being referenced.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal