Usage note
当时用于描述过去某个特定的时间点。
dāngshí yòng yú bǐ sù guò mǒu gè tè bié de shí jiān diǎn。
当时 is used to describe a specific time point in the past.
Context note
当时常用于讲述过去的经历或事件，比如描述某人的过去行为或某个历史时刻。
dāngshí cháng yòng yú sù lù gù de jīng lì huò dǎn shì, bǐ rú miáo shù mǒu rén de guò qù háng wéi huò gè nǔ lì kài。
当时 is often used to describe past experiences or events, such as describing someone's past behavior or a historical moment.
5 examples
我当时住在乡下。
wǒ dāng shí zhù zài xiāng xià。
I was living in the countryside at that time.
当时他还没有结婚。
dāng shí tā hái méi yǒu jié hūn。
He had not yet married at that time.
我当时在学习中文。
wǒ dāng shí zài xué xí zhōng wén。
I was studying Chinese at that time.
当时我们住在海边。
dāng shí wǒ men zhù zài hǎi biān。
We were living by the sea at that time.
我当时在公园里散步。
wǒ dāng shí zài gōng yuán lǐ sàn bù。
I was taking a walk in the park at that time.
5 mini stories
当时我们去了北京，参观了故宫博物院。我们在那里度过了愉快的一天。
dāng shí wǒ men qù le běi jīng， cān guān le gù gōng bó wù yuàn。 wǒ men zài nà lǐ dù guò le yú kuài de yì tiān。
At that time, we went to Beijing and visited the Palace Museum. We had a pleasant day there.
我当时在图书馆看书，突然听到门外有人喊我的名字。
wǒ dāng shí zài tú shū guǎn kàn shū， tū rán tīng dào mén wài yǒu rén hǎn wǒ de míng zì。
I was reading in the library at that time when I suddenly heard someone calling my name outside.
当时我们一起去爬山了，结果迷路了。后来我们找到了正确的路线。
dāng shí wǒ men yì qǐ qù pá shān le， jié guǒ mí lù le。 hòu lái wǒ men zhǎo dào le zhèng què de lù xiàn。
At that time, we went hiking together but got lost. Later, we found the right path.
我当时在公园里玩，看到一个小男孩在湖边钓鱼。
wǒ dāng shí zài gōng yuán lǐ wán， kàn dào yí gè xiǎo nán hái zài hú biān diào yú。
I was playing in the park at that time when I saw a little boy fishing by the lake.
当时我们在海边度假，每天早上都会去游泳。
dāng shí wǒ men zài hǎi biān dù jià， měi tiān zǎo shàng dōu huì qù yóu yǒng。
At that time, we were on vacation by the sea and would go swimming every morning.
Mini dialogue
回忆天气
A
你还记得昨天下午吗？当时雨下得很大。
Nǐ hái jìde zuótiān xiàwǔ ma? Dāngshí yǔ xià de hěn dà.
Do you still remember yesterday afternoon? At that time, it was raining heavily.
B
记得，当时我们正在教室里上课。
Jìde, dāngshí wǒmen zhèngzài jiàoshì lǐ shàngkè.
I remember. At that time, we were having class in the classroom.
看照片
A
这张照片是你几岁拍的？
Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn shì nǐ jǐ suì pāi de?
How old were you when this photo was taken?
B
当时我六岁，刚上小学。
Dāngshí wǒ liù suì, gāng shàng xiǎoxué.
At that time, I was six years old and had just started primary school.
Related words and contrasts
similar
那时
nàshí
at that time / then
A more casual way to say 'at that time'.
opposite
现在
xiànzài
now
Contrasts with 'at that time' by referring to the present.