来时 (lái shí) — the time of arrival; when (someone) comes

Definition

来时 is a formal/written noun for 'the time of arrival' or 'when (someone) comes' — used in scheduled or event contexts rather than everyday speech.

noun

the time of arrivalwhen (someone) comes

来时，。
lái shí, Qǐng tí qián tōng zhī wǒ men.
When you come, please notify us in advance.
来时。
Tā zài lái shí dài le hěn duō lǐ wù.
He brought many gifts when he came.
来时。
lái shí De jù tǐ shí jiān hái méi yǒu què dìng.
The specific time of arrival has not been determined yet.

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.

来 refers to coming and 时 is time, so the word means the time when someone arrives.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

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

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.

Appears in