此时

• Pinyin: cǐ shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 此 (this) + 时 (time)

Meaning

At this time; at this moment; now.

Similar to 此刻 but slightly less dramatic. Often used in narratives to set the scene or in formal writing. Common in phrases like 此时此刻 (at this very moment) for emphasis.

Examples

1. 此时已经是深夜了，街上几乎没有人。 It was already late at night; there was almost no one on the street.
2. 此时的他还不知道，命运即将改变。 At this time, he still didn't know that his fate was about to change.
3. 此时此刻，我只想好好休息一下。 At this very moment, I just want to have a good rest.

Usage Guide

Context: narratives, formal writing, descriptions

Tone: literary

Do Say

• 此时外面下着大雨。(At this time, it's raining heavily outside.)
• 此时此刻非常关键。(This very moment is critical.)

Don't Say

• 口语中问'你此时在哪？'比较书面——平时说'你现在在哪？'更自然 (Asking 你此时在哪 is literary — 你现在在哪 is more natural in conversation)

Origin & History

Compound of 此 (this) + 时 (time), meaning at this time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal