In 15 Sekunden
- Use it to mark a specific moment in a story.
- Place it at the start of a sentence for impact.
- It bridges the gap between two different actions.
Bedeutung
It's a handy way to say 'at this moment' or 'right then' when you're telling a story or describing a specific point in time.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Walking in the park
我正在走路，这时下雨了。
I was walking, and at this moment, it started raining.
In a business meeting
大家都不说话，这时经理进来了。
Everyone was silent, and at this time, the manager walked in.
Texting a friend about a movie
电影很无聊，这时主角哭了。
The movie was boring, then at this point, the main character cried.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Chinese narrative tradition, time is often viewed as a series of snapshots rather than a continuous flow. '这时' acts as the shutter click that captures a specific, meaningful frame within a story or conversation.
The 'Hou' Factor
If you want to sound more relaxed and native while speaking, add 'hou' to make it '这时候'. It flows better in casual conversation.
Don't use for 'When?'
Never use '这时' to ask a question. If you want to ask 'When?', use '什么时候' (shén me shí hou).
In 15 Sekunden
- Use it to mark a specific moment in a story.
- Place it at the start of a sentence for impact.
- It bridges the gap between two different actions.
What It Means
这时 is your go-to phrase for pointing at a specific moment in time. Think of it as a spotlight. You are telling a story and suddenly—bam!—something happens. That 'suddenly' or 'at that point' is where 这时 shines. It connects what just happened to what is happening right now in your narrative. It is simple, clean, and very effective.
How To Use It
Place 这时 at the beginning of a sentence or right after the subject. It acts like a time marker. If you are describing a sequence of events, use it to transition. For example, 'I was walking, and 这时 I saw a cat.' It helps your listener keep track of the timeline. You don't need fancy grammar here. Just drop it in to anchor the action.
When To Use It
Use it when you are storytelling. It works great when describing a surprising turn of events. You can use it in a meeting to pivot to a new point. It is perfect for texting a friend about your day. Use it when you want to create a sense of 'right then and there.' It makes your Chinese sound much more fluid and natural.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for long periods of time. If you mean 'these days,' use 最近 instead. Avoid using it for the future. 这时 is almost always about the immediate present or a specific past moment. Don't overthink it! If you use it five times in one paragraph, you'll sound like a broken record. Mix it up with other time words like 这时候.
Cultural Background
Chinese storytelling often relies on clear time markers. In traditional 'Pingshu' (storytelling performances), markers like 这时 build suspense. It tells the audience to pay attention because the plot is moving. It’s a classic way to bridge the gap between two actions. Even in modern dramas, you'll hear narrators use this to heighten the drama. It's a small word with a lot of narrative 'weight.'
Common Variations
You will often hear 这时候. Adding the 候 makes it sound a bit more casual and rhythmic. In very formal writing, you might see 此时. They all mean roughly the same thing. 这时候 is probably what you'll hear most in coffee shops. 这时 is the slightly tighter, more punchy version. Both are perfectly fine for an A2 learner to master.
Nutzungshinweise
Perfect for A2 learners to bridge sentences. It is neutral enough for any situation but sounds especially natural in spoken narratives.
The 'Hou' Factor
If you want to sound more relaxed and native while speaking, add 'hou' to make it '这时候'. It flows better in casual conversation.
Don't use for 'When?'
Never use '这时' to ask a question. If you want to ask 'When?', use '什么时候' (shén me shí hou).
The Dramatic Pause
In Chinese storytelling, speakers often pause slightly after saying '这时' to build anticipation for the next event.
Beispiele
6我正在走路，这时下雨了。
I was walking, and at this moment, it started raining.
Used here to show a sudden change in the environment.
大家都不说话，这时经理进来了。
Everyone was silent, and at this time, the manager walked in.
Creates a sense of a specific, important arrival.
电影很无聊，这时主角哭了。
The movie was boring, then at this point, the main character cried.
Informal way to describe a plot point.
我正想吃蛋糕，这时猫跳到了桌上！
I was just about to eat the cake, when at this moment the cat jumped on the table!
Used for comedic timing in a story.
天黑了，这时他拉住了我的手。
It got dark, and at this moment, he took my hand.
Adds emotional weight to a specific action.
我不知道点什么，这时服务员推荐了烤鸭。
I didn't know what to order, at this time the waiter recommended roast duck.
Shows a helpful intervention in a common situation.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best word to complete the story about a sudden surprise.
我们正在开派对，___ 门开了。
'这时' (at this time) correctly marks the moment the door opened during the party.
Complete the sentence to describe a change in weather.
太阳很大，___ 刮风了。
'这时' is used to transition between the sunny weather and the sudden wind.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of '这时' vs Variations
Common in spoken stories
这时候 (zhè shí hou)
Good for both speaking and writing
这时 (zhè shí)
Used in literature or news
此时 (cǐ shí)
When to use '这时'
Storytelling
Adding drama to a tale
Daily Life
Describing your day
Work
Reporting an event
Texting
Updating friends
Aufgabensammlung
2 Aufgaben我们正在开派对，___ 门开了。
'这时' (at this time) correctly marks the moment the door opened during the party.
太阳很大，___ 刮风了。
'这时' is used to transition between the sunny weather and the sudden wind.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt means 'at this time' or 'at this moment.' It is used to point to a specific point in a sequence of events.
Yes! In fact, starting a sentence with 这时 is a very common way to introduce a new action in a story.
Almost. 这时候 is slightly more common in spoken Chinese and sounds a bit more casual, while 这时 is a bit punchier.
No, 这时 is generally used for the present or the past. For the future, you'd use something like 到那个时候.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without any issues.
You can actually still use 这时 when telling a story about the past, or you can use 那时 (nà shí) for 'that time'.
No. For 'nowadays' or 'recently,' you should use 现在 (xiàn zài) or 最近 (zuì jìn).
Usually at the very beginning of the sentence or right after the subject, like 我这时才发现... (I only then realized...).
The formal version is 此时 (cǐ shí), which you will see in books or formal speeches.
No. 这时 is a statement. To ask 'at what time?', use 什么时候?.
Verwandte Redewendungen
那时候 (at that time)
此时 (at this moment - formal)
有时候 (sometimes)
同时 (at the same time)
准时 (on time)
