As an adverb, indicating that something happens repeatedly at short intervals; frequently, often. “地” can be added, used in affirmative sentences as an adverbial.
“from time to time” or “occasionally.”
It emphasizes the occurrence of actions at irregular intervals, suggesting a sense of randomness but with some frequency.
e.g.
他不时检查手机看有没有新消息。(Tā bù shí jiǎnchá shǒujī kàn yǒu méiyǒu xīn xiāoxī.) He checks his phone from time to time to see if there are any new messages.
他不时停下来欣赏风景。(Tā bù shí tíng xià lái xīnshǎng fēngjǐng.) He stops to enjoy the scenery from time to time.
这台老式收音机不时会发出噪音。(Zhè tái lǎoshì shōuyīnjī bù shí huì fāchū zàoyīn.) This old radio makes noise from time to time.
他们不时举办聚会，增强团队的凝聚力。(Tāmen bù shí jǔbàn jùhuì, zēngqiáng tuánduì de níngjù lì.) They hold gatherings from time to time to enhance team cohesion.
It indicates something temporary or occasional, can only be used as an adverbial, placed after the subject, before verbs or adjectives, and cannot be placed before the subject.
“temporarily” or “for a moment.”
It highlights the brevity or temporary nature of an action, often associated with impulsiveness or immediate reactions.
Subject + 一时 + Verb phrase / Adjective
e.g.
他一时兴起，决定去海边。(Tā yī shí xìng qǐ, juédìng qù hǎibiān.) On a whim, he decided to go to the seaside.
他一时冲动，买了许多不需要的东西。(Tā yī shí chōngdòng, mǎi le xǔduō bù xūyào de dōngxi.) He impulsively bought many things he didn’t need.
一时的失败不应该让他气馁。(Yī shí de shībài bù yīng gāi ràng tā qìněi.) A momentary failure should not discourage him.
他一时找不到合适的话来回答。(Tā yī shí zhǎo bù dào héshì de huà lái huídá.) He temporarily couldn’t find the right words to answer.
“一时” has a declarative connotation and is generally not used in interrogative sentences.
e.g.
✘ 这个消息太突然了，他一时接受不了吗？(Zhège xiāoxi tài tūrán le, tā yī shí jiēshòu bù liǎo.) Is this news too sudden, he can’t accept it for the moment?
✔ 这个消息太突然了，他一时接受不了。(Zhège xiāoxi tài tūrán le, tā yī shí jiēshòu bù liǎo.) This news is too sudden, he can’t accept it for the moment.
As an adverb, used as an adverbial, indicating that something happens repeatedly at indefinite times, mostly used in written Chinese.
It implies a fluctuation or alternation between different states or behaviors over time, indicating variability rather than continuity.
“sometimes” or “now and then.”
e.g.
楼下时而飘过来一阵饭菜香。(Lóuxià shí’ér piāo guòlái yī zhèn fàn cài xiāng.) Now and then, the scent of food wafts up from downstairs.
天上时而有飞机经过。(Tiānshàng shí’ér yǒu fēijī jīngguò.) Planes pass by in the sky now and then.
我时而会收到老朋友的礼物。(Wǒ shí’ér huì shōudào lǎo péngyǒu de lǐwù.) Now and then, I receive gifts from old friends.
他大病初愈，时而会晕倒，要小心照顾。(Tā dà bìng chū yù, shí’ér huì yūndǎo, yào xiǎoxīn zhàogù.) He’s just recovered from a serious illness, and sometimes faints, so he must be carefully looked after.
The common pattern is “时而……时而……”, indicating that two different things alternate over a certain period of time.
时而……时而……
e.g.
她时而开心，时而忧郁。(Tā shí’ér kāixīn, shí’ér yōuyù.) She is sometimes happy, sometimes melancholic.
这部电影时而搞笑，时而严肃。(Zhè bù diànyǐng shí’ér gǎoxiào, shí’ér yánsù.) The movie is sometimes funny, sometimes serious.
她时而冷漠，时而热情。(Tā shí’ér lěngmò, shí’ér rèqíng.) She is sometimes aloof, sometimes enthusiastic.
这条河流的水位时而上升，时而下降。(Zhè tiáo héliú de shuǐwèi shí’ér shàngshēng, shí’ér xiàjiàng.) The water level of this river sometimes rises, sometimes falls.
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