天时 (tiān shí) — favorable weather and climate (especially as a condition for farming or planning); timeliness; opportune moment (the idea that time itself is a favorable factor)
Definition
Often paired with 地利 and 人和 in the saying '天时不如地利，地利不如人和' to name the three conditions for success: favorable timing, place, and people. Refers to the right moment or weather, not opportunity in the everyday sense.
noun
favorable weather and climate (especially as a condition for farming or planning)timelinessopportune moment (the idea that time itself is a favorable factor)
Examples
- 天时，。Zhòng dì yào kàn tiān shí, bù néng tài zǎo yě bù néng tài wǎn.Farming depends on the weather — it can't be too early or too late.
- 天时、、，。Tā men zhàn le tiān shí, dì lì, rén hé, suǒ yǐ yíng le.They had favorable timing, geography, and popular support, so they won.
- 天时，。Zhè cì tóu zī cuò guò le zuì jiā tiān shí, sǔn shī hěn dà.This investment missed the optimal opportunity, resulting in big losses.
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