当时 (dāngshí) · then

当时 (dāngshí) means “then; at that time”. It is written with 2 characters: 当 (to be) + 时 (time). It is an HSK 4 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).

How 当时 is built

The characters

当 dāng · to be

What 当 is made of

⺌ — structural part
彐jì — snout
- 二 — two strokes
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
  - 一 — horizontal stroke

时 shí · time

What 时 is made of

日rì — sun; day
- 口kǒu — mouth
  - 冂 — frame
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
寸cùn — inch

Origin hint: day (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

Example sentences

当时我不在家。Dāngshí wǒ bù zài jiā.I wasn't at home at that time.

你当时在做什么？Nǐ dāngshí zài zuò shénme?What were you doing at that time?

Questions about 当时

What does 当时 mean?

当时 (dāngshí) means “then; at that time”.

How do you pronounce 当时?

当时 is pronounced dāngshí.

Which HSK level is 当时?

当时 is in HSK 4 (exam 2025) and HSK 2 (2021) and Old HSK 4.

Related words

Learn 当时 with its group

It is part of HSK 2 (2021) · Group 30: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

Open the group