adverb / conjunction HSK 4
Traditional 同時
at the same time · simultaneously · meanwhile
Meaning
同时 means 'at the same time' or 'simultaneously' and is used to indicate that two or more actions or states occur concurrently. It can function as an adverb modifying a verb phrase, or as a conjunction linking two clauses to show they happen together.
Usage
Native speakers use 同时 in both spoken and written contexts to coordinate simultaneous events or to add information. In formal writing, it often appears at the beginning of a sentence meaning 'at the same time' or 'meanwhile.' It's commonly paired with 也 (yě) for emphasis: 同时也...
Examples
- 01她同时学习中文和日文。.She is studying Chinese and Japanese at the same time.
- 02这个软件可以同时打开多个文件。.This software can open multiple files simultaneously.
Characters
Common collocations
- 同时进行to proceed simultaneously
- 同时也at the same time also
- 在...的同时...while..., at the same time as...
Antonyms
Origin
Literally means 'same time,' a transparent compound where 同 (same/together) combines with 时 (time) to express simultaneity.