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always, all along, straight, continuously 

一 直

yi4zhi2

Zhang MengLi Yu ZhengZhang JingMi ZhaoxiLiang Yan
KarenFredSarahJoshKate

You're always welcome to my home. 

随 时 欢 迎 你 到 我 家 来 。

Sui2shi2 huan1ying2 ni3 dao4 wo3 jia1 lai2.

Zhang MengJessie WangMi ZhaoxiChu Lin
KarenJeremyMaggy

always, at all times 

从 来

cong2lai2

Liu JinzheLi Yu ZhengZhang XiaoweiMi ZhaoxiCao Lihua
FredShawnCricketChelsea

always 

总 是

zong3shi4

Zhang MengFeng XieCao HuiWT ZhengLi Yu ZhengFeng Kui
TimJulieMichael

at any time, at all times, anytime 

随 时

sui2shi2

Zhang MengWang MeiChu PinganHuang XuHuang JialiZhang Xiaowei
FredKaren

now, at present, at the moment, nowadays 

目 前

mu4qian2

Liu Yu RongZhang MengWT ZhengCao Lihua
KarenMichael

Come over for awhile. 

来 一 下 。

Lai2 yi2 xia4.

Li Yu ZhengWang MeiZhang XiaoweiLi LongfeiZheng LeiWei Xing
KarenAllenApril

Think for awhile. 

想 一 下 。

Xiang3 yi2 xia4.

Li Yu ZhengWang MeiZhang XiaoweiShao JingxianZheng LeiWei Xing
KarenAllenApril

ever since 

从 那 时 起

cong2 na4 shi2 qi3

Du FengLiu WeihongZheng HaotianAn YufeiLi Shiyan
AllenKaren Lee

ever since 

从 那 时 到 现 在

cong2 na4 shi2 dao4 xian4zai4

Du FengLiu WeihongZheng HaotianAn YufeiLi Shiyan
AllenKaren Lee

deadline 

截 止 时 间

jie2zhi3 shi2jian1

Du FengZhao JianZhao MoFen RanLi Xinzhou
TerryAllenCherieBrianCindy

to be able to do something on time 

来 得 及

lai2deji2

Liu XiaoyunHuang XuHuang JialiZhao HeShu Chang
FredShawnCricketChelsea

You should come here on time, even if it rains. 

即 使 下 雨 , 你 也 应 该 按 时 到 。

Ji2shi3 xia4yu3, ni3 ye3 ying1gai1 an4shi2 dao4.

Li DiChu LinLin QingCao HuiShu Chang
KarenDaveJeremyFrank

and again, finally  (said as the last in the series of "zai4.... zai4..... zai4shuo1.... Used to give a list of alternatives, suggestions, or arguments)

再 说

zai4shuo1

Shao DanniLi Yu ZhengLiu WeihongSong JiaZheng Lei
AnselMaggy

to have free time  (the r often is almost always added in Beijing)

有 空 儿

you3 kong4r

Shao DanniLiu QiuxiaWT ZhengLi SiShu Chang
TimKaren LeeJeremyMaggy

at once, immediately, directly 

立 即

li4ji2

Li DiChu LinCao HuiShu Chang
SarahJulieRoryLennie

You came just at the right time.  (just in time - this would be present tense in Chinese - past tense in English - refers to an immediate arrival)

你 来 得 真 巧 。

Ni3 lai2 de2 zhen1 qiao3

WT ZhengZhang LiLi ZhenLiu MingkeShu ChangLiu Xuechun
KateBrienneScribMichael

just a short while ago, a moment ago, just now 

刚 才

gang1cai2

Zhuo ShuoDeng YichenCao LihongLi Xinzhou
ChrisKenGlison

kind, turn, time  (measure word)

fan1

Zhang MengJessie WangShao JingxianChu LinZheng LeiFeng Xi
CricketMalLeslieKaren Lee

last time, a previous occasion 

上 次

shang4ci4

Li DiZhang MengLi SiWang Jun
KarenJulieMikeKate

to be late  (used for people who are late -- see wan3dian3 晚 点 for trains, planes, and buses)

迟 到

chi2dao4

WT ZhengFeng XieLi ZhenLiu MingkeShu ChangLiu Xuechun
KateBrienneScribMichael

I might be a little late tonight. 

我 今 晚 可 能 晚 回 些 。

Wo3 jin1wan3 ke3neng2 wan3 hui2 xie1.

to be late, to be behind schedule; late  (used only for trains, planes, and buses, see chi2dao4 迟 到 for people)

晚 点

wan3dian3

Da DiZhang MengZheng HaotianLiu Weihong
CricketAustinNick

I don't want to be late. 

我 不 想 迟 到 。

Wo3 bu4 xiang3 chi2dao4.

WT ZhengZhang LiLi ZhenShao JingxianShu ChangLiu Xuechun
TerryJulieAustinSarah

It's already late. 

时 间 不 早 了 。

Shi2jian1 bu4 zao3 le.

Zhang LiZhang MengHuang JialiZhang NingGao MingjiangHua
KarenFredSarahJoshKate

in awhile, after awhile, later  (this is oral use -- dai1 is usually dai4 except in this instance -- colloquial - hang around -- same meaning as guo4hui4r --- 50/50 in popularity --)

待 会 儿

dai1 hui4r

Du FengFen RanRen ShuangLiu Weihong
MaggyLynnFrank

later on, in the future, after, afterwards 

以 后

yi3hou4

Zhang MengFeng XieLi ZhenMi ZhaoxiLi Si
LynnMalMaggyTravis

later on 

稍 后

shao1hou4

Liu QiuxiaDa DiWang YongZheng Jie
JoshLynnAnselAustin

listened to the lecture several times 

听 了 几 次 课

ting1 le ji3 ci4 ke4

Zhang MengWang MeiShao JingxianHua
CricketMalLeslieKaren Lee

many times, a lot of times 

好 几 次

hao3ji3ci4

Liu Yu RongZhang MengLi ZhenWang Jun
DaveJenniferCeCeliaBrian

a very short period of time  (used in speaking -- idiom phrase)

一 会 儿 工 夫

yi2hui4r gong1fu

Jessie WangZhang MengHuang XuZheng JieCao Hui
TerryJulieBrienneStephan

awhile; in a moment, a little while, presently  (longer than yi2xia4 in duration)

一 会 儿

yi2hui4r

Zhang MengLi ZhenLiu XiaoyunWT ZhengLi SiCao Hui
AnselBrienneScribMichael

at the same time, simultaneously; moreover, meanwhile 

同 时

tong2shi2

Zhang MengWang MeiChu PinganHuang XuHuang JialiZhang Xiaowei
AnselKaren LeeJeremyMaggy

Now is not the time for a nap. 

现 在 不 是 打 盹 的 时 候 。

Xian4zai4 bu2 shi4 da3 dun1 de shi2hou.

She's taking a nap now. 

她 现 在 在 睡 觉 。

Ta1 xian4zai4 zai4 shui4jiao4.

Zhang NingWT ZhengLi ZhenShu ChangFeng Kui
LynnMikeTerryDanielle

next time 

下 次

xia4ci4

Cao LihongZheng LeiZhou HuiRen Shuang
JenniferAustin

No matter how fast the train was, they couldn't get there on time. 

不 管 火 车 多 快 , 他 们 也 不 能 按 时 到 达 。

Bu4guan3 huo3che1 duo1kuai4, ta1men ye3 bu4 neng2 an4shi2 dao4da2.

Li Yu ZhengLi ZhenZhang MengWei XingSun Gang
DaveCherieRoryAllenAshley

now, nowadays 

如 今

ru2jin1

Zhuo ShuoDeng YichenCao LihongLi Xinzhou
ChrisKenGlison

occasion, time  (measure word)

du4

Liu Yu RongLi Yu ZhengZheng JieZhao MoZheng LeiHua
KarenMalChelseaAustinChrystal

frequently, often, usually  (one of the adverbs which precedes time in the grammar of a sentence)

常 常

chang2chang2

Zhang NingLi Yu ZhengLiu YawenCao Hui
JulieSethDavid

Put the pan on the table, we'll clean it later. 

把 盘 子 放 在 桌 子 上 , 我 们 一 会 儿 洗 。

Ba3 pan2zi fang4 zai4 zhuo1zishang, wo3men yi2hui4r xi3.

Feng XieWT ZhengChu LinCao Hui
KarenNickSarah

on time, in time, appropriately, timely 

及 时

ji2shi2

Shao DanniLiu QiuxiaWT ZhengLi Si
TimDaleJulie

Please be here on time. 

请 准 时 到 。

Qing3 zhun3shi2 dao4.

Zhang MengJessie WangMi ZhaoxiChu Lin
KarenJeremyMaggy

to study one time through 

学 一 遍

xue2 yi2 bian4

Zhang MengLiu JinzheZhu MengxiWang MeiMi ZhaoxiZhao He
FredShawnCricketChelsea

to say it once 

说 一 遍

shuo1 yi2 bian4

Zhang MengLiu JinzheZhu MengxiWang MeiMi ZhaoxiZhao He
FredShawnCricketChelsea

time, hour, season, scheduled time; now and then, occasionally 

shi2

Zhang MengWang JunZhang XiaoweiZhang LiLiu JinzheZhu Mengxi
JeremyAprilShawnStevenQ

for a long time, long time 

久 久

jiu3jiu3

Zhang NingWT ZhengLi ZhenShu Chang
FredKaren LeeStephanGlisonStevenQ

in the course of time, as time passes 

久 而 久 之

jiu3er2jiu3zhi1

Zhang NingWT ZhengLi ZhenShu Chang
FredKaren LeeStephanGlisonStevenQ

to spend time (holidays), to pass (time) 

du4

Liu Yu RongLi Yu ZhengZheng JieZhao MoZheng LeiHua
KarenMalChelseaAustinChrystal

period of time, spell; mw for a burst, fit 

一 阵 子

yi2zhen4zi

Shao DanniLiu QiuxiaWT ZhengLi SiShu Chang
TimKaren LeeJeremyMaggy

have researched three times 

研 究 了 三 次

yan2jiu1 le san1 ci4

Zhang MengWang MeiShao JingxianHua
CricketMalLeslieKaren Lee

Say it twice. 

说 两 遍 。

Shuo1 liang3 bian4.

Zhang MengZhang LiLi ZhenShu ChangSun Gang
ScribMal

since then 

从 那 时 以 来

cong2 na4shi2 yi3lai2

Shao DanniCheng HongWang WenjingRuan Yilang
AnselAustinAnnDawn

since then 

从 那 以 后

cong2 na4 yi3hou4

Shao DanniCheng HongWang WenjingRuan Yilang
AnselAustinAnnDawn

sometime 

某 时

mou3shi2

Huang XuZhao HeZhang MengZhao Mo
AprilJamesBrian

sometimes, occasionally 

有 时 候

you3 shi2hou

Zhang NingWT ZhengLi ZhenShu ChangFeng Kui
LynnMalMaggyTravis

I sometimes go to the library to read magazines. 

我 有 的 时 候 去 图 书 馆 看 杂 志 。

Wo3 you3de shi2hou qu4 tu2shu1guan3 kan4 za2zhi4.

Zhang MengLiu Yu RongHuang XuLiu WeihongCao Li Hua
DaveMaggyBrianAustin

from time to time, sometimes  (not popular -- can be used when you want to complain about something and want to minimize the problem so your complaint doesn't seem impolite -- see "you3shi2" for sometimes, "jing1chang2" or "chang2chang2" for often, "o3er3" for occasionally)

时 不 时

shi2 bu4 shi2

Shao DanniZhang MengFeng XieShao Jingxian
KarenJeremyMaggy

sometimes 

有 的 时 候

you3de shi2hou

Shao DanniLiu QiuxiaWT ZhengLi SiShu Chang
TimKaren LeeJeremyMaggy

at an early date, soon 

早 日

zao3ri4

Shao DanniLi Yu ZhengLiu WeihongSong JiaZheng Lei
TimKaren LeeJeremyMaggy

Sooner or later he'll come. 

他 迟 早 会 来 的 。

Ta1 chi2zao3 hui4 lai2 de.

WT ZhengZhang LiLi ZhenShao JingxianShu ChangLiu Xuechun
TerryJulieAustinSarah

by then 

到 那 时 候

dao4 na4 shi2hou

Shao DanniCheng HongWang WenjingRuan Yilang
DavidApril

from then on, from now on 

从 此

cong2ci3

Zhang MengLi ZhenLi LongfeiMi ZhaoxiWei Xing
JoshBrienneJeremyCricket

from then on 

从 那 时 起

cong2 na4shi2 qi3

Shao DanniCheng HongWang WenjingRuan Yilang
AnselAustinAnnDawn

He was only ten years-old at that time 

当 时 他 只 有 十 岁 。

Dang1shi2 ta1 zhi3 you3 shi2 sui4.

WT ZhengZhang LiLi ZhenShao JingxianShu ChangLiu Xuechun
TerryJulieAustinSarah

From then on he was very happy.  (often used in a story to tell what happened next.)

从 此 他 很 高 兴 。

Cong2ci3 ta1 hen3 gao1xing4.

Zhang MengLi ZhenLi LongfeiMi ZhaoxiWei Xing
TerryJulieAustinSarah

till then 

到 那 时 为 止

dao4 na4shi2 wei2zhi3

Shao DanniCheng HongWang WenjingRuan Yilang
AnselAustinAnnDawn

now and then 

时 而

shi2'er2

Shao DanniCheng HongWang WenjingRuan Yilang
AnselAustinAnnDawn

second, next, order, position, sequence  (first time = di4 yi2 ci4 -- also used as a measure word)

ci4

Zhang MengLi Yu ZhengLi SiCao Hui
JulieSethDavid

Time flies.  (time flies like an arrow, the sun and the moon change position like a shuttle - a tool used in weaving, netmaking -- a skilled workman can make the shuttle almost disappear due to speed -- unlike this translation, the Chinese sentence is very beautiful)

光 阴 似 箭 , 日 月 如 梭

Guang1yin1 si4 jian4, ri4yue4 ru2 suo1.

Zhang NingLi Yu ZhengHuang XuLi LongfeiWang Jin
KarenMichaelAprilRory

time, times, flight, row  (scheduled plane, train, car, row; verb measure word -- to mean to do something for a time qu4 tang4 -- go for a time)

tang4

Zhang MengJessie WangShao JingxianChu LinZheng LeiFeng Xi
CricketMal

Do you have enough time to visit the Museum of Chinese History? 

你 有 时 间 去 参 观 中 国 历 史 博 物 馆 吗 ?

Ni3 you3 shi2jian1 qu4 can1guan1 Zhong1guo2 Li4shi3 Bo2wu4guan3 ma?

Zhang LiZhang MengHuang JialiZhang NingGao MingjiangHua
KarenFredSarahJoshKate

Do you have any spare time?  (very colloquial -- same as saying "Ni3 you3 kong4r ma?" or preferably "You3 kong4r ma?")

你 有 工 夫 吗 ?

Ni3 you3 gong1fu ma?

Zhang MengFeng XieLi ZhenHou YingShu Chang
TimJulieMichael

time difference, jet lag 

时 差

shi2cha1

Shao DanniZhang MengFeng Xie
KarenJeremyMaggy

to make time 

抽 空 儿

chou1kong4r

Cheng MiaoZhao JianGao YanlinLi Xinzhou
DavidAnnLennie

Please, take a moment... 

请 , 抽 出 一 点 点 时 间 。。。

Qing3, chou1chu1 yi4 dian3dian3 shi2jian1...

Cheng HongRuan YilangWang WenjingAn YufeiZhang Zhida
ChrisKenGlison

time, instance  (measure word for the number of occurrences in time)

ci4

Zhang MengWang MeiShao JingxianHua
CricketMalLeslieKaren Lee

long time, lasting; for a long time 

jiu3

Zhang MengZhang LiLi ZhenShu ChangSun Gang
CricketMalLeslieKaren Lee

Please give me a moment of time, a moment would be sufficient. 

请 你 给 我 一 点 点 时 间 ,只 要 一 会 就 够 了 。

Qing3 ni3 gei3 wo3 yi4 dian3dian3 shi2jian1, zhi3 yao4 yi2 hui4 jiu4 gou4 le.

Cheng HongRuan YilangWang WenjingAn YufeiZhang Zhida
ChrisKenGlison

to value one's time 

珍 惜 时 间

zhen1xi1 shi2jian1

Da DiZhang MengJin YanDa Di
CricketAprilMichael

spare time, leisure 

空 儿

kong4(r)

Liu XiaoyunFeng XieWang JunWT Zheng
LynnJulieMichael

next time 

下 一 次

xia4 yi2ci4

Du FengCao LihongRen ShuangWang ChenZhou Hui
EricMaggyLennie

time, times  (indicates that something was completed from beginning to end. Some number of times, once, twice, three times...liang3 bian4 = twice. This measure word FOLLOWS the verb.)

bian4

Zhang MengZhang LiLi ZhenShu ChangSun Gang
JoshBrienneKarenJeremy

Each time you enter her living room, you're always able to see something new. 

每 次 进 她 的 屋 子 都 能 看 到 一 些 新 的 东 西 。

Mei3 ci4 jin4 ta1 de wu1zi dou1 neng2 kan4dao4 yi4 xie1 xin1 de dong1xi.

Lin QingFeng XieWang WenjingHua
CricketMalLeslieKaren Lee

ask two times 

问 两 遍

wen4 liang3 bian4

Zhang MengLiu JinzheZhu MengxiWang MeiMi ZhaoxiZhao He
FredShawnCricketChelsea

This is the third time I've come to Beijing. 

这 是 我 第 三 次 到 北 京 来 。

Zhe4 shi4 wo3 di4san1ci4 dao4 Bei3jing1 lai2.

Zhang MengJessie WangShao JingxianChu LinZheng LeiFeng Xi
CricketMalLeslieKaren Lee

time, turn, round  (verb measure word)

zao1

Zhang MengJessie WangShao JingxianChu LinZheng LeiFeng Xi
Sarah GSethDavid

time, turn 

dun4

Liu QiuxiaLi Yu ZhengLiu WeihongLi SiSun Gang
SarahJulieRoryLennie

usually, ordinarily, in normal times 

平 时

ping2shi2

Zhang MengLi Yu ZhengZhang JingMi ZhaoxiLiang Yan
TimDaleJulie

to have a vacation, holiday, time off 

休 假

xiu1jia4

Liu Yu RongLi Yu ZhengZhao MoZheng LeiHua
TerryJulieAustinSarah

I'm already awake. 

我 已 经 醒 了 。

Wo3 yi3jing1 xing3 le.

Liu Yu RongDa DiZheng HaotianLiu Weihong
DawnStephanLynnKenAshley

He was only 10 years-old when his father died. 

当 他 爸 爸 去 世 时 , 他 只 有 十 岁 。

Dang1 ta1 ba4ba qu4shi4 shi2, ta1 zhi3 you3 shi2 sui4.

WT ZhengZhang LiLi ZhenShao JingxianShu ChangLiu Xuechun
TerryJulieAustinSarah

when, during, at the time of 

dang1

Zhang MengWang MeiShao JingxianHua
CricketMalKaren Lee

whenever, every time 

每 当

mei3dang1

Liu Yu RongZhang MengWT ZhengCao Lihua
KarenMichael

If you can wait, dinner will be ready in a little while.  (young people when speaking will often say yi2hui3r)

如 果 你 能 等 , 晚 饭 一 会 儿 就 好 。

Ru2guo3 ni3 neng2 deng3, wan3fan4 yi2hui4r jiu4 hao3.

Jessie WangZhang MengLi ZhenWT Zheng
KarenNickSarah

all year round 

一 年 四 季

yi4nian2 si4ji4




http://hua.umf.maine.edu/Chinese/topics/topics.html
Last Update: July 2012
©  Marilyn Shea 1999, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012