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实时 (shí shí) — (in) real time; real-time

Definition

实时 means 'in real time' — describing systems, data, or communication that happens live with no delay. 即时 (jíshí) is closer to 'instantaneous' and stresses immediate response or action.

adverb
(in) real timereal-time
Easily confused

Examples

  • 实时。
    Zhè ge xì tǒng kě yǐ shí shí fǎn yìng shì chǎng biàn huà.
    This system can reflect market changes in real time.
  • 实时。
    Wǒ men tōng guò shì pín shí shí jiāo liú xiǎng fǎ.
    We exchange ideas in real time via video.
  • 实时。
    Yóu xì huà miàn shí shí tóng bù dào suǒ yǒu shè bèi.
    The game screen syncs to all devices in real time.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

实shíreal
时shítime

The sense of 实 as real and 时 as time gives happening at the actual moment.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 時; 时 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
日日rìsun; day
Sound part声符shēngfú
之
之zhī時shí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 時 pairs 日 (sun/day) with 之 as the part that gives the sound; the simplified 时 is not the form described.

Open 时 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Time (Abstract)

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