当时

dāng shí/
dàng shí
HSK 2Noun (名)Verb (动)Adverb (副)

Basic Meaning

n
Used exclusively to refer to the time when a past event occurred, often in storytelling or recollection. It has the same form as the verb sense but a distinct meaning.
at that time; back then
时间词。指过去发生某件事情的时候，泛指从前。
Synonyms:
那时其时当初以前从前
Antonyms:
后来事后过后将来未来
Sentences:
  1. 当(dāng)时(shí)我(wǒ)还(hái)小(xiǎo)，不(bù)懂(dǒng)这(zhè)些(xiē)道(dào)理(lǐ)。
    I was still young at that time and didn't understand these principles.
  2. 他(tā)给(gěi)我(wǒ)看(kàn)了(le)当(dāng)时(shí)的(de)照(zhào)片(piān)。
    He showed me photos from back then.
v
A formal or literary verb meaning something is done at an opportune or suitable time. It's less common in everyday speech.
to be timely; to be at the right moment
处于合适的时期。
Sentences:
  1. 你(nǐ)的(de)建(jiàn)议(yì)非(fēi)常(cháng)当(dāng)时(shí)，帮(bāng)了(le)大(dà)忙(máng)。
    Your suggestion was very timely and was a great help.

Characters Breakdown

HSK 2
dāng dàng当

during; serve as; act as

HSK 1
shí时

time