值此之际

You will usually find this phrase at the very beginning of a sentence. It acts as a formal setup. Think of it as a "hook" for your main point. Grammatically, it functions as a time adverbial. You can say 值此之际，我代表公司…… (On this occasion, on behalf of the company...). Notice how it creates a natural pause? That is the secret power of the phrase. It forces people to listen. You can also add specific events before it to make it even more precise. For example, 值此新春佳节之际 (On the occasion of this happy Spring Festival). The 之际 part is the anchor. It means "at the time of." The 值 means to meet or encounter. So, you are literally saying "meeting this moment." It is most common in written speeches, official letters, and high-level corporate communications. Do not try to weave it into a fast-paced conversation. It needs space to breathe. It is like a fine wine; you do not chug it at a frat party. You savor it at a gala.

This is a straight-up C1-level phrase. It belongs in the "Very Formal" bucket. You will hear it in news broadcasts on CCTV. You will see it in the first paragraph of a government announcement. You might even see it in a very high-end wedding invitation. If you use this while ordering a bubble tea, the cashier might look at you like you are a time-traveling emperor from the Qing Dynasty. It is not for the faint of heart. It is for moments that require Gravitas with a capital G. In a professional setting, it shows you have a deep command of formal Chinese. It is highly respected in business culture. It shows you understand the etiquette of "giving face" to the occasion. If you are writing a LinkedIn post about a major career milestone, this is your best friend. If you are texting your mom about what is for dinner, leave this in the toolbox. You do not bring a cannon to a knife fight, right?

Let’s look at where you would actually see this in the wild. One common place is the annual New Year's address. The leader will start with 值此辞旧迎新之际 (At this moment of saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new). It sounds poetic and grand. Another scenario is a company's 10th-anniversary celebration. The CEO might write, 值此公司成立十周年之际，感谢各位同仁。 (On the occasion of our 10th anniversary, I thank all my colleagues). It is also common in formal diplomacy. When one country sends a congratulatory message to another, this phrase is almost mandatory. You might also see it on a high-end real estate brochure. "On the occasion of our grand opening..." It adds a layer of prestige. Even in the digital age, it appears in official emails. When a CEO sends a company-wide memo about a merger, they will likely use 值此之际 to set a serious tone. It is the language of big moves and big moments. It is the verbal equivalent of a firm, professional handshake.

Use this phrase when the stakes are high. It is perfect for weddings, especially during the formal speeches. It is ideal for graduation ceremonies when you want to sound inspiring. Use it in professional emails when you are announcing a major partnership or a significant departure. It is great for holiday greetings to clients or senior bosses. Basically, if there is a "reason" for the gathering or the communication, 值此之际 is your go-to opener. It is also useful when you want to transition from a casual atmosphere to a formal one. If a meeting is getting too rowdy and you need to bring everyone back to the point, starting a sentence with this can act as a verbal gavel. It commands respect. Use it when you are writing a letter of recommendation for a high-level position. It shows that you take the recommendation—and the candidate—seriously. It is about honoring the time and the space you are currently in.

Avoid this phrase in any situation where you are wearing sweatpants. Seriously. If the vibe is "chill," stay away. Do not use it when texting friends about a movie. Do not use it during a casual lunch. If you use it in a romantic relationship during a small argument, it will sound incredibly sarcastic or weirdly robotic. "On the occasion of you forgetting the milk..." Yeah, don't do that. Also, avoid using it repetitively. Because it is such a heavy phrase, using it more than once in a short speech makes it lose its punch. It becomes "word salad." It is also not suitable for quick, functional emails. If you are just asking for a file, do not start with 值此之际. It will make the recipient think you are about to fire them or give them a massive promotion. It creates unnecessary suspense. Save it for the moments that actually deserve the red carpet treatment.

The most frequent error is using it in the wrong register. Learners often think "occasion" just means any time something happens. ✗ 值此去超市之际 (On the occasion of going to the supermarket) → ✓ 去超市的时候 (When going to the supermarket). Another mistake is forgetting the 之际 at the end. ✗ 值此这这时候 → ✓ 值此之际. Some people also mix it up with 趁此机会 (taking this opportunity). While similar, 趁此机会 is more about the action you are taking, whereas 值此之际 is about the significance of the time itself. ✗ 值此之际我想请假 (On this occasion I want to ask for leave) → ✓ 我想借此机会请假 (I'd like to take this opportunity to ask for leave). Using it for mundane tasks makes you sound like an AI that hasn't quite figured out human emotions yet. Keep it special. If every moment is "this occasion," then no moment is.

You might see some cousins of this phrase. 在此之际 (At this moment) is slightly less formal but still quite professional. It’s like the "business casual" version. 正值……之际 is a common structure used to specify the event. For example, 正值毕业之际 (Just at the moment of graduation). 趁此之际 means "taking advantage of this moment." It adds a bit more agency to the speaker. You aren't just observing the moment; you are using it. In regional variations, you might find people in Southern China or Taiwan using 适逢 (shì féng) which means "to happen to meet." It’s another beautiful, formal way to mark an occasion. However, 值此之际 remains the gold standard for official mainland Chinese formal register. It is the version you will see in textbooks and high-level exams like the HSK 6. Stick to the classic version if you want to be safe in a professional environment.

Is 值此之际 used in spoken Chinese? Only in formal speeches or ceremonies. You won't hear it in a casual chat at a cafe. If you do, someone is likely giving a toast or making a very serious announcement. Does it always have to be at the start of a sentence? Usually, yes. It sets the temporal context for what follows. Putting it elsewhere feels clunky and interrupts the flow of the formal sentiment. Can I use it in an email to a colleague? Only if it's a very formal announcement, like a promotion or a farewell. For daily tasks, it's too much. It would be like wearing a tuxedo to a cubicle. Is it the same as "right now"? No, "right now" is 现在. 值此之际 focuses on the *specialness* of the moment. It's not just about the clock; it's about the meaning. What is the difference between 之际 and 之中? 之际 means at the edge or moment of something starting or happening. 之中 means in the middle of a process. 值此之际 is about the juncture, not the duration.