彼一时 (bǐ yī shí) — (part of the set phrase 彼一时，此一时) that time, that moment (in the past, as opposed to now)

Definition

The first half of the set phrase 彼一时，此一时 ("that was then, this is now"). Used to point back to a past situation as different from the present; rarely stands alone.

idiom
(part of the set phrase 彼一时，此一时) that timethat moment (in the past, as opposed to now)

Examples

  • 彼一时，。
    bǐ yī shí De rì zi yǐ jīng guò qù le, bié zǒng huái niàn guò qù.
    Those days are already gone; don't keep longing for the past.
  • 彼一时，。
    bǐ yī shí Hé xiàn zài wán quán bù tóng, bù néng zài yòng lǎo bàn fǎ le.
    That time is completely different from now; you can't use the old methods anymore.
  • 彼一时，，，。
    bǐ yī shí, Cǐ yì shí, qíng kuàng biàn le, wǒ men yě yào gǎi biàn cè lüè.
    That was then, this is now; the situation has changed, and we need to change our strategy too.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chì
Sound part声符shēngfú
皮
皮pí彼bǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 彳 points to the meaning, and the right part 皮 gives the sound.

Open 彼 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

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 →

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