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按时 (àn shí) — on time, on schedule

Definition

按时 is an adverb meaning 'on time / on schedule', used like a pre-verbal modifier for actions and tasks. Closer to 准时 (punctual, often about a person) than to 及时 (prompt, responding to a need).

adverb
on timeon schedule

Examples

  • 按时。
    Qǐng àn shí wán chéng zuò yè.
    Please finish your homework on time.
  • 按时。
    Tā měi tiān dōu àn shí qǐ chuáng.
    He gets up on time every day.
  • 按时。
    Nǐ men yào àn shí chī yào.
    You need to take medicine on time.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

按ànaccording to
时shítime

The according-to part points to the time part, giving the sense of on schedule.

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
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
安
安ān按àn
Same sound today

按 has 扌, the hand radical, and 安. The hand part points to an action done with the hand, while 安 supplies the sound and the idea of being at ease, linked to pressing down.

Open 按 →

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 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 4Time (Abstract)

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