Chinese word

同时

Pronunciation

Pinyintóng shí

Meaning

  • adverbat the same time

Example

他同时也在学习中文。tā tóng shí yě zài xué xí zhōng wén

He is also studying Chinese at the same time.

Illustration for 同时 (at the same time)

More examples

两个项目同时开始了。liǎng gè xiàng mù tóng shí kāi shǐ le

The two projects started at the same time.

Core concept

Several things occupy one moment, whether they happen together or move along separate tracks.

Common phrases

  • 同时开始tóng shí kāi shǐ

    begin at the same time

  • 同时完成tóng shí wán chéng

    finish at the same time

Similar words

一起yì qǐ: Together, describing people or things that act, move, or remain with one another.
一边yì biān: In parallel, doing one action while also doing another action.

Definition in Chinese

在同一时间发生或进行，表示两个或多个动作或情况同时存在或并行发生。zài tóng yì shí jiān fā shēng huò jìn xíng biǎo shì liǎng gè huò duō gè dòng zuò huò qíng kuàng tóng shí cún zài huò bìng xíng fā shēng

Word origin

同时 (tóngshí, "at the same time") combines 同 (tóng, "same") + 时 (shí, "time"), so a shared time frame links actions or situations.

Usage tips

  • As an adverb, it can link two clauses with different subjects, so one person may read while another person writes.

Other meanings

  • all at onceadverb
  • in paralleladverb

Word lists with this word