Question 1

What does 当时 mean in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

当时 (dāngshí) is a time word meaning 'at that time' or 'back then' — it refers to a specific past moment already established in the conversation, and functions like an adverb or time adverbial to anchor a statement to that moment. It is neutral and used constantly in storytelling: 当时我不知道 (at that time I didn't know), 当时他很生气 (he was angry then).

Unlike English 'then,' 当时 never means 'next / after that' in a sequence — it only means 'at that specific past moment,' so it cannot chain events the way English 'then I did X, then Y' can. It also differs from 那时候 (nà shíhòu), which is more colloquial; 当时 often carries a sense of 'right at that moment, in the situation as it was.'

Question 2

How do you pronounce 当时?

Accepted Answer

当时 is pronounced dāngshí — 当 (dāng), 时 (shí).

Question 3

Is 当时 a noun, verb, or something else?

Accepted Answer

当时 is a adverb, register: neutral.

Question 4

What's the difference between 当时 and 当地?

Accepted Answer

当时 is about time ('at that time'), while 当地 is about place ('in that locality'). Same 当, different second character.

Question 5

What's the difference between 当时 and 同时?

Accepted Answer

同时 means 'at the same time / simultaneously,' linking two things happening together. 当时 pins a statement to one past moment and does not link two events.

当时

What does 当时 mean?

Character breakdown

Example sentences

Common phrases with 当时

Synonyms

Don't confuse 当时 with

FAQ

Hear 当时 in real Chinese, not in a flashcard.