Meaning of 准时
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- on time
- punctual
- on schedule
How to use 准时
准时 often comes before a verb as an adverb, as in 准时到 (zhǔnshí dào) or 准时出发 (zhǔnshí chūfā). It can also describe a person or thing as punctual. Example: 他每天都准时上班。(Tā měitiān dōu zhǔnshí shàngbān.) He gets to work on time every day.
准 (zhǔn) means accurate or exact, and 时 (shí) means time. Exact time together gives you 准时, arriving right on time.
Common mistake: Learners often write 准 with three dots on the left like 淮 (huái), but 准 has only two dots (冫). Also, 准时 means on time, not early, so do not use it for 提前 (tíqián), meaning in advance.
准时 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
准 zhǔn · accurate · 10 strokes
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时 shí · o'clock · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 准时.
| 时候 | shíhou | time; length of time |
| 时间 | shíjiān | (concept of) time; (duration of) time |
| 准备 | zhǔnbèi | preparation; to prepare |
| 小时 | xiǎoshí | hour |
| 有时 | yǒushí | sometimes; now and then |
| 有时候 | yǒushíhou | sometimes |
| 当时 | dāngshí | then; at that time |
| 那时 | nà shí | then; at that time |
| 同时 | tóngshí | at the same time; simultaneously |
| 随时 | suíshí | at any time; at all times; at the right time; whenever necessary |
| 小时候 | xiǎoshíhou | in one's childhood |
| 平时 | píngshí | ordinarily; in normal times |
Questions about 准时
What does 准时 mean?
准时 (zhǔnshí) means "on time; punctual" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 准时?
准时 is made of 2 characters: 准 (10 strokes), 时 (7 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 准时 an HSK word?
Yes. 准时 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 准时 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 准时 is written 準時.
What is the difference between 准时 and 按时?
Both mean on time. 准时 stresses being exactly at the set moment, like 准时到达. 按时 (ànshí) stresses following a schedule, like 按时吃药 (take medicine on schedule).
How do I say someone is not punctual?
You can say 不准时 (bù zhǔnshí), as in 他总是不准时 (He is never on time). For being late specifically, use 迟到 (chídào).