Explanation at your level:
过时 means 'old.' If you have a toy that is very old and nobody wants it, it is 过时. You use it when you see something from long ago that we do not use today.
When something is 过时, it is not new anymore. For example, if you wear clothes from ten years ago, people might say they are 过时. It helps you talk about things that are not popular now.
Use 过时 to describe items or beliefs that have been replaced by modern versions. It is very common when discussing technology or fashion trends. It shows you understand that things change over time.
过时 carries a nuance of obsolescence. It implies that while an item may still function, it lacks the relevance or efficiency required by current standards. It is perfect for professional critiques or social commentary.
In advanced contexts, 过时 can describe intellectual paradigms or social norms. It suggests that a framework is no longer intellectually viable. It allows for a sophisticated critique of systems that refuse to evolve with the times.
At the mastery level, 过时 touches on the philosophical tension between tradition and modernity. It is used to analyze cultural artifacts that have transitioned from functional tools to historical relics. It captures the inevitable decay of relevance in a rapidly progressing civilization.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Means outdated
- Used for things and ideas
- Not for food
- Commonly used
When we say something is 过时 (guò shí), we are talking about the natural cycle of change. It literally translates to 'passing time,' suggesting that the object or idea has been left behind by the clock.
Think of your old flip phone in a world of smartphones. That phone is 过时. It still works, but it is no longer the standard. It is a very useful word to describe everything from fashion trends to outdated computer software.
The word 过时 is a classic Chinese compound. 过 (guò) means to pass or cross, while 时 (shí) refers to time or the current era.
Historically, this term was used to describe things that missed the seasonal window, such as crops that were harvested too late. Over centuries, it evolved to describe abstract concepts like social customs or outdated ideologies that no longer fit the 'season' of modern society.
You can use 过时 in almost any context, whether you are talking about technology, clothing, or even jokes. It is a neutral term, not necessarily an insult, just an observation of status.
Commonly, you will hear phrases like 过时的想法 (outdated ideas) or 过时的技术 (outdated technology). It is widely used in both professional business reports and casual conversations with friends.
1. 跟不上时代 (gēn bù shàng shí dài): To not keep up with the times. Example: He is so stubborn he is跟不上时代.
2. 老掉牙 (lǎo diào yá): Literally 'old enough to lose teeth,' meaning extremely outdated. Example: That joke is so 老掉牙.
3. 陈词滥调 (chén cí làn diào): Cliche or 'stale' words. Example: His speech was full of 陈词滥调.
4. 昨日黄花 (zuó rì huáng huā): Yesterday's flowers, meaning something that has lost its appeal. Example: That fashion brand is 昨日黄花.
5. 墨守成规 (mò shǒu chéng guī): To stick to old rules stubbornly. Example: We cannot 墨守成规 in this fast-paced market.
过时 functions primarily as an adjective. You can place it before a noun with the particle 'de' (e.g., 过时的衣服) or use it after 'hen' (e.g., 这太过了时了).
Pronunciation: guò (4th tone, like a sharp drop) and shí (2nd tone, rising). Rhymes include 逻辑 (luó jí) in terms of rhythm, though not sound. It is a very stable, two-syllable word that fits easily into any sentence structure.
Fun Fact
Originally related to agricultural cycles.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Mandarin tones
Standard Mandarin tones
Common Errors
- Mixing tones
- Dropping the 4th tone on 'guò'
- Slurring the 'sh' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to listen
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
这很过时
Change of state
过时了
Attributive use
过时的东西
Examples by Level
这个玩具过时了。
This toy is outdated.
Subject + adjective + le
我的手机过时了。
这件衣服过时了。
这种想法过时了。
他的电脑过时了。
这个规则过时了。
那首歌过时了。
这个方法过时了。
这本字典过时了。
这种过时的技术已经没人用了。
不要总是用过时的方法解决问题。
这套过时的系统需要升级。
他的观点在现代社会看来有点过时。
这种过时的设计风格又流行回来了。
很多过时的法律需要修改。
这本手册里的信息已经过时了。
别穿那件过时的外套了。
这种过时的管理模式正在阻碍公司的发展。
我们必须摒弃那些过时的观念。
虽然设计过时，但质量依然很好。
他总喜欢用一些过时的词汇。
这种过时的教育理念不适合现在的孩子。
面对过时的设备，我们只能选择更换。
这是个过时的笑话，没人会笑。
这种过时的习俗正在逐渐消失。
该理论在当代学术界已被视为过时。
我们不能被过时的传统所束缚。
这种过时的审美观无法引起年轻人的共鸣。
尽管技术过时，但其历史价值不可估量。
他试图复兴那种过时的浪漫主义风格。
这种过时的官僚体制必须进行彻底改革。
过时的基础设施严重影响了城市效率。
在数字化时代，纸质地图显得有些过时。
这种过时的二元对立思维已无法解释复杂的社会现象。
他不仅在技术上，甚至在思维方式上也显得过时。
这种过时的叙事手法在现代文学中已极少见。
我们必须审视那些被社会视为过时的道德准则。
这种过时的生产方式在当前经济环境下已难以为继。
他对于艺术的理解停留在过时的古典主义阶段。
这种过时的外交策略在当今多极世界中行不通。
尽管显得过时，但这种手工艺依然保留着独特的魅力。
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"跟不上时代"
Cannot keep up with current trends
他总是跟不上时代。
neutral"老掉牙"
Extremely old/outdated
这笑话太老掉牙了。
casual"陈词滥调"
Cliche/stale words
别说那些陈词滥调。
formal"昨日黄花"
Something that has lost its value
他已是昨日黄花。
literary"墨守成规"
Sticking to old rules
不要墨守成规。
formal"食古不化"
Sticking to old ways without adapting
他真是食古不化。
formalEasily Confused
Similar sounds
过期 = expired (time limit), 过时 = outdated (style/tech)
牛奶过期了 vs 衣服过时了
Both mean old
陈旧 = worn out/old, 过时 = not trendy
陈旧的家具 vs 过时的想法
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 已经 + 过时了
这种方法已经过时了。
过时的 + Noun
这是过时的观念。
Subject + 显得 + 过时
这件衣服显得过时。
太 + 过时了
这太过时了。
不要 + 过时
不要用过时的技术。
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
过时 refers to things/ideas, not age of people.
It is an adjective, needs a particle or verb structure.
旧 means old (not new), 过时 means outdated (not current).
过期 means expired (food/medicine).
Sometimes '陈旧' is more academic.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a calendar page falling off.
When Native Speakers Use It
When critiquing tech.
Cultural Insight
Respect for tradition vs modernity.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add '了' for change of state.
Say It Right
Focus on the 4th tone.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse with 过期.
Did You Know?
It has roots in agriculture.
Study Smart
Use with '观念' (ideas).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Guo (Pass) + Shi (Time) = Time has passed it.
Visual Association
A clock with no hands.
Word Web
Défi
Find one thing in your room that is 过时.
Origine du mot
Chinese
Original meaning: Passing the time/season
Contexte culturel
Can be rude if used to describe someone's personal style.
Equates to 'outdated', 'obsolete', or 'old-fashioned'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Technology
- 软件过时
- 技术过时
- 设备过时
Fashion
- 款式过时
- 颜色过时
- 穿得过时
Ideas
- 思想过时
- 观念过时
- 理论过时
Work
- 流程过时
- 方法过时
- 系统过时
Conversation Starters
"你觉得什么东西最过时？"
"你还在用过时的东西吗？"
"为什么人们讨厌过时的东西？"
"时尚总是过时的吗？"
"你会扔掉过时的衣服吗？"
Journal Prompts
Describe a piece of technology you own that is过时.
Write about an old tradition that is becoming过时.
Do you think being过时 is always bad?
How do you stay modern and avoid being过时?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsIt depends on context. Don't say it to someone's face about their clothes!
No, use 过期.
时髦 or 现代.
Yes, very.
It describes their ideas, not the person directly.
No, it can still work, just not be trendy.
非常过时.
Yes, for tech or processes.
Teste-toi
这个手机太___了。
It describes an old phone.
Which means outdated?
Definition match.
过时 can be used for expired milk.
Use 过期 for expired.
Word
Signification
Distinguishing similar terms.
Standard structure.
Score : /5
Summary
过时 means something has lost its relevance in the current time.
- Means outdated
- Used for things and ideas
- Not for food
- Commonly used
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a calendar page falling off.
When Native Speakers Use It
When critiquing tech.
Cultural Insight
Respect for tradition vs modernity.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add '了' for change of state.
Exemple
这种手机型号已经过时了。
Related Content
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur time
之后
A1After; subsequent to.
年老
A1Old (of people).
日程表
A1Schedule; timetable.
约定
A1To agree on a time; to make an appointment.
超前
B1Ahead of time; advanced.
提前
A1In advance; ahead of schedule.
很久
A1A long time (ago); for a long time.
随着
B1Along with; as (time passes).
古老
A1Ancient; age-old.
周年
A1Anniversary.
