nà shí: 那时 - At that time, Then

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• Summary: “那时” (nà shí) is an essential Chinese time word that translates to “at that time” or “back then.” It's used to point to a specific moment or period in the past, often to set the scene for a story, share a memory, or contrast the past with the present. Understanding how to use “那时” is key for narrative storytelling in Mandarin and for discussing past events with a sense of reminiscence. This page explores its core meaning, cultural context, and practical differences from similar words like “当时” (dāng shí).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): nà shí
• Part of Speech: Time Noun / Adverbial Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A phrase used to refer to a specific point or period of time in the past; “at that time,” “back then.”
• In a Nutshell: Think of “那时” as a verbal time machine. It's the word you use to transport your listener back to a specific past context you've already established. It's a storyteller's tool, perfect for starting a sentence like, “Back then, we didn't have smartphones…” It creates a sense of distance and nostalgia, pointing to “that time” which is separate and distinct from the present moment.

• 那 (nà): This character means “that” or “those.” It's a demonstrative pronoun used to point to something that is far away, either in physical space or, in this case, in time.
• 时 (shí): This character means “time,” “moment,” or “hour.” Its original form depicted the sun's movement, symbolizing the passage of time.
• When combined, 那时 (nà shí) literally translates to “that time.” It's a simple and intuitive construction that directly points to a past moment or era.

“那时” is more than just a time marker; it's a key to unlocking nostalgia and shared memory. In Chinese culture, where storytelling and recounting history are highly valued, “那时” serves as a classic opening phrase to signal a shift into a reflective or narrative mode.

• The Power of Reminiscence: Using “那时” often evokes a sense of nostalgia (怀旧, huáijiù). It's the verbal equivalent of looking at an old, sepia-toned photograph. When an elder begins a story with “那时我们…”, it immediately captures the listener's attention, signaling that a lesson or a piece of personal history is about to be shared.
• Contrast with Western “Then”: In English, “then” can be very sequential (“I went to the store, then I went home”). While “那时” can mean “then,” it's rarely used for simple, immediate sequences. Instead, it's more like “at that time” or “back in those days.” It establishes a whole scene or period as the backdrop for the events that follow, rather than just marking the next step in a sequence. For sequential actions, Chinese speakers are more likely to use 然后 (ránhòu).

“那时” is a common word used in both everyday conversation and more formal writing. Its usage is generally neutral and depends on the context of the story being told.

• Storytelling & Sharing Memories: This is the most common use. Friends, family, and colleagues use it to talk about their past experiences.
  • “那时我还是个学生，什么都不懂。” (Nà shí wǒ háishì ge xuéshēng, shénme dōu bù dǒng.) - “At that time I was still a student and didn't know anything.”
• Historical Accounts: In documentaries, books, and articles, “那时” is used to refer to a specific historical period that has just been introduced.
  • “1980年，中国开始了改革开放。那时，深圳还是一个小渔村。” (Yījiǔbālíng nián, Zhōngguó kāishǐle gǎigé kāifàng. Nà shí, Shēnzhèn háishì yīgè xiǎo yú cūn.) - “In 1980, China began its Reform and Opening Up. At that time, Shenzhen was still a small fishing village.”
• Contrasting Past and Present: It is frequently used to highlight how much things have changed.
  • “你看现在到处都是高楼大厦，可那时这里全都是农田。” (Nǐ kàn xiànzài dàochù dōu shì gāolóu dàshà, kě nà shí zhèlǐ quán dōu shì nóngtián.) - “Look, now there are skyscrapers everywhere, but back then this whole area was farmland.”

• Example 1:
  • 我五岁的时候住在乡下，那时的天空特别蓝。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wǔ suì de shíhou zhù zài xiāngxià, nà shí de tiānkōng tèbié lán.
  • English: When I was five, I lived in the countryside. The sky at that time was especially blue.
  • Analysis: “那时” here refers back to the period “when I was five.” It sets a nostalgic scene.
• Example 2:
  • A: 我们是2010年认识的吧？ (Wǒmen shì èr líng yī líng nián rènshi de ba?) - We met in 2010, right?
  • B: 对，那时你还在上海工作。 (Duì, nà shí nǐ hái zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò.) - Right, you were still working in Shanghai at that time.
  • Analysis: Here, “那时” refers to the specific, agreed-upon time (2010) and adds more context about that period.
• Example 3:
  • 我刚来中国的时候，中文说得不好，那时常常闹笑话。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gāng lái Zhōngguó de shíhou, Zhōngwén shuō de bù hǎo, nà shí chángcháng nào xiàohuà.
  • English: When I first came to China, my Chinese wasn't good. Back then, I often made embarrassing mistakes.
  • Analysis: This is a classic storytelling structure. The first clause sets the time frame, and “那时” reinforces it to introduce a specific detail or anecdote.
• Example 4:
  • 爷爷说，那时没有手机，人们通过写信来联系。
  • Pinyin: Yéye shuō, nà shí méiyǒu shǒujī, rénmen tōngguò xiě xìn lái liánxì.
  • English: Grandpa said that back then there were no cell phones, and people contacted each other by writing letters.
  • Analysis: “那时” is used to describe a general past era, contrasting it with the modern day.
• Example 5:
  • 虽然那时的生活很艰苦，但我们都觉得很幸福。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán nà shí de shēnghuó hěn jiānkǔ, dàn wǒmen dōu juéde hěn xìngfú.
  • English: Although life at that time was very hard, we all felt very happy.
  • Analysis: “那时” can refer to a period characterized by certain conditions, such as hardship.
• Example 6:
  • 你还记得吗？那时我们经常一起去图书馆。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ hái jìde ma? Nà shí wǒmen jīngcháng yīqǐ qù túshūguǎn.
  • English: Do you still remember? We used to go to the library together all the time back then.
  • Analysis: A common way to start a reminiscent question to a friend.
• Example 7:
  • 我找到了我十年前的照片，那时我真瘦啊！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǎodàole wǒ shí nián qián de zhàopiàn, nà shí wǒ zhēn shòu a!
  • English: I found a photo of myself from ten years ago. I was so thin at that time!
  • Analysis: A spontaneous exclamation upon being reminded of a past state.
• Example 8:
  • 很多人怀念上世纪90年代，认为那时的机会更多。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén huáiniàn shàng shìjì jiǔshí niándài, rènwéi nà shí de jīhuì gèng duō.
  • English: Many people are nostalgic for the 1990s, believing there were more opportunities at that time.
  • Analysis: Used to talk about a specific historical decade.
• Example 9:
  • 那时谁能想到，互联网会如此深刻地改变我们的生活？
  • Pinyin: Nà shí shéi néng xiǎngdào, hùliánwǎng huì rúcǐ shēnkè de gǎibiàn wǒmen de shēnghuó?
  • English: Who could have imagined at that time that the internet would change our lives so profoundly?
  • Analysis: A rhetorical question used to emphasize the magnitude of change over time.
• Example 10:
  • 电影的背景是二战时期，那时的人们都生活在恐惧中。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐng de bèijǐng shì èrzhàn shíqī, nà shí de rénmen dōu shēnghuó zài kǒngjù zhōng.
  • English: The movie is set during World War II; people at that time all lived in fear.
  • Analysis: Used in a formal or descriptive context to provide information about a historical period.

The biggest challenge for learners is distinguishing “那时” from the very similar term “当时” (dāng shí). They can sometimes be interchangeable, but they have a key difference in focus.

• 那时 (nà shí) vs. 当时 (dāng shí):
  • 那时 (nà shí): “At that time” (General Period). Refers to a general period in the past. It sets a scene. It feels more detached and looks back at a block of time.
  • 当时 (dāng shí): “At the time” / “Right then” (Specific Moment). Refers to the specific moment an event occurred. It's more immediate and focused on the circumstances surrounding a single action.
  • Incorrect Usage Example:
    • 我昨天到他家时，他正在做饭。~~那时~~他看起来很忙。
    • (Wǒ zuótiān dào tā jiā shí, tā zhèngzài zuòfàn. ~~Nà shí~~ tā kànqǐlái hěn máng.)
    • Why it's wrong: “那时” creates too much distance. It sounds like you're talking about a bygone era, not the specific moment you arrived yesterday.
    • Correct Usage: 我昨天到他家时，他正在做饭。当时他看起来很忙。 (Wǒ zuótiān dào tā jiā shí, tā zhèngzài zuòfàn. Dāng shí tā kànqǐlái hěn máng.) - “When I arrived at his house yesterday, he was cooking. He looked very busy *at that moment*.”
• 那时 (nà shí) vs. 那个时候 (nà ge shíhou):
  • These two are very close in meaning and are often interchangeable.
  • 那个时候 (nà ge shíhou) is more colloquial and common in spoken language.
  • 那时 (nà shí) is slightly more concise and can sound a bit more written or formal, though it's also very common in speech. You can't go wrong using either in most conversational contexts.

• 当时 (dāng shí) - Its closest counterpart. Means “at the time” or “at that very moment,” focusing on the specific instance an action occurred.
• 那个时候 (nà ge shíhou) - A more colloquial and very common synonym for 那时.
• 那时起 (nà shí qǐ) - A useful extension meaning “from that time on” or “ever since then.”
• 后来 (hòu lái) - Means “afterwards” or “later.” It's used to describe a sequence of events in the past, not to set a scene.
• 以前 (yǐ qián) - A general term for “before” or “in the past.” It's much broader than 那时. (e.g., 以前我住在这里 - I used to live here.)
• 过去 (guò qù) - Means “the past” as a noun. It refers to the past as a whole concept. (e.g., 忘记过去 - Forget the past.)
• 这时 (zhè shí) - The opposite of 那时, meaning “at this time” or “right now.”
• 当年 (dāng nián) - Means “in those years” or “back in that year.” It carries a strong sense of nostalgia, often referring to a significant year in the past.