Anything that has fallen behind the current trends or standards is considered outdated.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to things no longer in fashion or use.
- Commonly used for technology, fashion, and ideas.
- Implies a need for update or change.
Overview
- 1概述：‘过时’（guòshí）是一个非常实用的词汇，由‘过’（超过）和‘时’（时间/时代）组成，字面意思是‘超过了时代’。它用来指代那些因为时间推移而变得陈旧、不再流行或失去实用价值的东西。2) 使用模式：该词通常作定语（如：过时的观念）或谓语（如：这种方法已经过时了）。在口语中，它常带有一种略微负面的评价，暗示某物需要更新或更换。3) 常见语境：在科技领域，指旧型号的电子产品；在时尚领域，指不再流行的服装款式；在社会领域，指陈旧的传统或思想观念。4) 同义词辨析：与‘陈旧’相比，‘过时’更强调与当前潮流的脱节；与‘老套’相比，‘过时’的应用范围更广，不仅限于形式，也涵盖了功能和理念。
Examples
这种发型现在已经过时了。
everydayThis hairstyle is outdated now.
我们必须淘汰过时的生产设备。
formalWe must phase out outdated production equipment.
别那么过时，现在大家都用手机支付了。
informalDon't be so old-fashioned; everyone uses mobile payment now.
该理论在现代物理学中已被视为过时。
academicThis theory is considered outdated in modern physics.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
已经过时
Already outdated
完全过时
Totally outdated
观念过时
Outdated mindset
Often Confused With
Refers mainly to physical items being old or worn out. '过时' focuses on the lack of relevance to current trends.
Refers to methods or ways of doing things that are repetitive and boring. '过时' is more about the timeline.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is versatile and used across both formal and informal registers. It often acts as a predicate adjective with '了'. When used as an attributive, it directly modifies nouns like '观念' or '设备'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use it to describe people's age, which is incorrect. It should be used for things, ideas, or styles. Also, avoid using it to mean 'broken' (坏了).
Tips
Use with verbs for emphasis
Combine with '已经' (already) to emphasize that the item is definitely outdated. For example: '这个软件已经过时了'.
Avoid using for people directly
Calling a person '过时' can be rude. It is safer to say their 'ideas' (观念) are outdated.
Fast-paced societal change
In modern China, things become '过时' very quickly due to rapid technological growth. This makes the word very frequent in daily conversation.
Word Origin
Derived from '过' (pass) and '时' (time). It literally means 'passed the time of its usefulness'.
Cultural Context
In China's rapid development, '过时' is a frequent topic in debates about tradition versus modernity. It highlights the cultural tension between preserving history and embracing technological progress.
Memory Tip
Think of a clock (时) that has passed (过) the current time. It is no longer useful because it is behind the times.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions可以，但通常指这个人的思想、观念或打扮跟不上时代，而不是指年龄大。如果直接说一个人‘过时’，语气可能略带冒犯，建议委婉表达。
‘旧’仅指使用时间长，不一定代表不好；而‘过时’明确表示该事物已不再符合现代标准，具有负面评价。
可以，它是一个中性偏贬义的词，在商务或学术报告中常用于指出某项技术或策略已经不再适用。
有的，‘时髦’、‘流行’或‘前卫’都可以作为它的反义词。
Test Yourself
这种款式的衣服已经___了，没人穿了。
因为没人穿了，说明款式不再流行，应选‘过时’。
描述一个...
十年前的电子产品通常已经无法满足现代需求，属于典型的‘过时’。
观念 / 他的 / 已经 / 过时 / 了
主语+副词+形容词+了，结构正确。
Score: /3
Summary
Anything that has fallen behind the current trends or standards is considered outdated.
- Refers to things no longer in fashion or use.
- Commonly used for technology, fashion, and ideas.
- Implies a need for update or change.
Use with verbs for emphasis
Combine with '已经' (already) to emphasize that the item is definitely outdated. For example: '这个软件已经过时了'.
Avoid using for people directly
Calling a person '过时' can be rude. It is safer to say their 'ideas' (观念) are outdated.
Fast-paced societal change
In modern China, things become '过时' very quickly due to rapid technological growth. This makes the word very frequent in daily conversation.
Examples
4 of 4这种发型现在已经过时了。
This hairstyle is outdated now.
我们必须淘汰过时的生产设备。
We must phase out outdated production equipment.
别那么过时，现在大家都用手机支付了。
Don't be so old-fashioned; everyone uses mobile payment now.
该理论在现代物理学中已被视为过时。
This theory is considered outdated in modern physics.
