dāngshí: 当时 - At That Time, Then, On the Spot

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• Summary: Learn how to use “dāngshí” (当时), an essential Chinese word for talking about the past. This guide explains its core meaning of “at that time” or “then,” and its other important meaning of “on the spot.” Discover how “dāngshí” is used to tell stories and recall specific moments, and learn the crucial difference between “dāngshí” and “nà shíhou” (那时候) through practical examples and cultural insights.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dāngshí
• Part of Speech: Time Adverb / Noun (referring to time)
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: It refers to a specific point or period in the past that has just been mentioned, meaning “at that time” or “then”.
• In a Nutshell: `当时` is like a spotlight that shines on a specific moment in a story you're telling. If you say, “I went to Beijing in 2008,” you can then use `当时` to mean “at that time in 2008.” It links your next sentence directly back to that specific context, making your storytelling clear and focused. It can also mean “immediately” or “right then and there.”

• 当 (dāng): This character can mean “to be,” “to act as,” or “to face.” In this context, it takes on the meaning of “at” or “during” a specific time or place.
• 时 (shí): This character simply means “time” or “period.” It's a component in many time-related words like `时间 (shíjiān)` (time) and `小时 (xiǎoshí)` (hour).

When combined, `当时 (dāngshí)` literally means “at [that] time,” creating a very direct and logical word for referring to a previously established moment.

`当时` is a cornerstone of Chinese narrative and recollection. While it translates to “at that time,” its cultural function is more specific than the English equivalent. In English, we might use “back then” to evoke a general, often nostalgic, sense of a bygone era. `当时`, however, is less about nostalgia and more about precision. It functions like a director's cue in a film, cutting directly to a specific scene that has already been set up. For example, if a friend is recounting a difficult business negotiation, they will use `当时` to pull the listener right into the tension of that specific moment: “The client was about to walk out. `当时` I was so nervous.” This reflects a communication style that values clear, context-linked storytelling. It's less about a vague feeling of the past and more about anchoring a detail to a specific, shared point of reference in a conversation. It's the tool you use to say, “Okay, remember that moment we were just talking about? Here’s exactly what happened right then.”

`当时` is extremely common in both spoken and written Chinese. Its usage falls into two main categories: 1. Referring to a Past Context (“At that time”) This is the most common use. You first establish a time frame (e.g., “when I was a child,” “last year,” “during the meeting”), and then use `当时` to add more details about that specific time. It's used in everyday chat, formal reports, and news articles.

• Connotation: Neutral. It's a functional word to structure a story.

2. Describing an Immediate Reaction (“On the spot / Right then and there”) This usage is also very common and crucial to understand. It describes an action or feeling that happens immediately in response to a situation.

• Connotation: Can be neutral, but often adds a sense of immediacy, surprise, or suddenness to the action. For example, “他当时就哭了” (Tā dāngshí jiù kū le) - “He started crying right then and there.”

• Example 1:
• 我2010年住在上海，当时我还是一个学生。
• Pinyin: Wǒ 2010 nián zhù zài Shànghǎi, dāngshí wǒ hái shì yí ge xuéshēng.
• English: I lived in Shanghai in 2010; at that time, I was still a student.
• Analysis: This is the classic use of `当时`. The first clause sets the time (2010 in Shanghai), and `当时` links the second clause directly to that context.
• Example 2:
• 他一听这个消息，当时就愣住了。
• Pinyin: Tā yì tīng zhège xiāoxi, dāngshí jiù lèng zhù le.
• English: As soon as he heard the news, he was stunned on the spot.
• Analysis: This shows the second meaning: “on the spot” or “immediately.” The particle `就 (jiù)` is often used with this meaning to add emphasis.
• Example 3:
• 你还记得吗？当时的天气特别好。
• Pinyin: Nǐ hái jìde ma? Dāngshí de tiānqì tèbié hǎo.
• English: Do you still remember? The weather at that time was especially good.
• Analysis: Here, `当时` refers to a shared memory that is understood by both speakers without needing to be explicitly stated.
• Example 4:
• 当时我没想太多，现在觉得有点后悔。
• Pinyin: Dāngshí wǒ méi xiǎng tài duō, xiànzài juéde yǒudiǎn hòuhuǐ.
• English: At that time, I didn't think too much about it; now I feel a little regretful.
• Analysis: This sentence contrasts a past mindset with a present one, a very common structure using `当时` and `现在 (xiànzài)`.
• Example 5:
• 警察问他： “案发当时，你在哪里？”
• Pinyin: Jǐngchá wèn tā: “Ànfā dāngshí, nǐ zài nǎlǐ?”
• English: The police officer asked him: “At the time the crime occurred, where were you?”
• Analysis: This demonstrates a more formal, official use. `案发当时` means “at the very time the case/crime occurred.”
• Example 6:
• 看到那只小猫，她当时就决定要收养它。
• Pinyin: Kàndào nà zhī xiǎo māo, tā dāngshí jiù juédìng yào shōuyǎng tā.
• English: Seeing that little kitten, she decided right then and there to adopt it.
• Analysis: Another clear example of the “on the spot” meaning, highlighting a spontaneous decision.
• Example 7:
• 我们第一次见面是在一个朋友的派对上，当时你穿着一件红色的裙子。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen dì yī cì jiànmiàn shì zài yí ge péngyou de pàiduì shàng, dāngshí nǐ chuān zhe yí jiàn hóngsè de qúnzi.
• English: The first time we met was at a friend's party; you were wearing a red dress at that time.
• Analysis: `当时` is perfect for adding specific details to a past event you are recounting.
• Example 8:
• A: 为什么你昨天没同意？ (Wèishénme nǐ zuótiān méi tóngyì?) - Why didn't you agree yesterday?
• B: 当时的情况很复杂，我需要时间考虑。 (Dāngshí de qíngkuàng hěn fùzá, wǒ xūyào shíjiān kǎolǜ.) - The situation at the time was very complicated, I needed time to think.
• Analysis: Here, `当时` is used to refer to “the situation at that specific time” to justify a past action (or inaction).
• Example 9:
• 这座桥是1980年建的，当时的技术还不是很先进。
• Pinyin: Zhè zuò qiáo shì 1980 nián jiàn de, dāngshí de jìshù hái búshì hěn xiānjìn.
• English: This bridge was built in 1980, and the technology at that time was not yet very advanced.
• Analysis: Used to describe the state or condition of something at a specific point in history.
• Example 10:
• 我把钥匙忘在公司了，但我当时完全没发现。
• Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ yàoshi wàng zài gōngsī le, dàn wǒ dāngshí wánquán méi fāxiàn.
• English: I forgot my keys at the office, but I didn't realize it at all at the time.
• Analysis: Highlights a state of mind or awareness (or lack thereof) during a past event.

1. `当时` vs. `那时候 (nà shíhou)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.

• `当时 (dāngshí)`: Refers to a more specific, defined moment or the context of a particular event. Think “at that specific time” or “on the spot.”
• `那时候 (nà shíhou)`: Refers to a more general, broader period in the past. Think “back in those days” or “around that time.”
• Example:
  • 我上大学的时候，那时候很自由。 (Wǒ shàng dàxué de shíhou, nà shíhou hěn zìyóu.) - “When I was in college, things were very free back in those days.” (General feeling about the entire college period).
  • 我上大学的时候，有一次考试忘了带笔。当时我急坏了。 (Wǒ shàng dàxué de shíhou, yǒu yí cì kǎoshì wàng le dài bǐ. Dāngshí wǒ jí huài le.) - “When I was in college, one time I forgot to bring a pen for an exam. I was frantic at that specific moment.” (Refers to the specific moment of the exam).

2. Mistaking the Two Meanings: English speakers often only learn the “at that time” meaning and get confused when they hear `当时` used to mean “immediately.”

• Incorrect interpretation: “他当时就走了” (Tā dāngshí jiù zǒu le.) could be misunderstood as “He left at that time (we were talking about).”
• Correct interpretation: In 99% of cases, this means “He left right then and there.” The presence of `就 (jiù)` strongly implies the “on the spot” meaning. Always check the context to see if it's describing a past state or a sudden reaction.

• 那时候 (nà shíhou) - “That time,” “back then.” A close synonym, but refers to a more general period of time than `当时`.
• 那时 (nà shí) - A slightly more formal or written version of `那时候`.
• 当年 (dāngnián) - “In those years,” “back in that year.” Similar to `当时` but refers to a whole year or a multi-year period, often with a sense of nostalgia.
• 从前 (cóngqián) - “Once upon a time,” “in the past.” Used for distant past events, often at the start of stories.
• 以前 (yǐqián) - “Before,” “previously.” A general-purpose word to talk about any time in the past relative to now.
• 过去 (guòqù) - “The past.” Used to talk about the past as a general concept.
• 立刻 (lìkè) - “Immediately,” “at once.” A synonym for the “on the spot” meaning of `当时`, but more formal.
• 马上 (mǎshàng) - “Immediately,” “right away.” A very common synonym for the “on the spot” meaning of `当时`.