Meanings of 那时候
By ear
Play it, then pick what 那时候 means.
About 那时候
Podcast: 那时候
Podcast: 那时候
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 那时候
那时 (nà shí) vs 那个时候 (nàgè shíhòu) — use 那时候 for a more conversational tone and emphasis on the specific period.
Be careful not to confuse '那时候' with '现在' (xiànzài, now) or '将来' (jiānglái, future). It is more informal and common in spoken language. A common collocation is '在那时候' (zài nà shíhou), meaning 'at that time.'
Although not specifically listed in HSK levels, '那时候' is useful for learners around HSK 3-4, where discussing past events becomes more common. Focus on using it in sentences to describe past experiences.
Learners often mistakenly say '那时候' when they mean '现在' (now). For example, saying '那时候我在家' (nà shíhou wǒ zài jiā) to mean 'now I am at home' is incorrect; you should use '现在我在家' instead.
Pronunciation of 那时候
Drill the tone of 那时候 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 那时候 to You
Let me explain 那时候 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 那时候 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 那时候?
Learning Lab
Knowing 那时候 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
How to say at that time; then in Chinese
“at that time; then” in Chinese is那时候
那时候 (nà shíhou) means 'at that time' and is used to refer to a specific period in the past. It is often found in storytelling or reminiscing about past events, emphasizing the context of when something happened.
When to use 那时候
Be careful not to confuse '那时候' with '现在' (xiànzài, now) or '将来' (jiānglái, future). It is more informal and common in spoken language. A common collocation is '在那时候' (zài nà shíhou), meaning 'at that time.'
那时候 or something close to it
那时 (nà shí) vs 那个时候 (nàgè shíhòu) — use 那时候 for a more conversational tone and emphasis on the specific period.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly say '那时候' when they mean '现在' (now). For example, saying '那时候我在家' (nà shíhou wǒ zài jiā) to mean 'now I am at home' is incorrect; you should use '现在我在家' instead.
Write 那时候
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 那时候 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 那时候?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 那时候
'那时候' specifically refers to past events, so it's not appropriate for future contexts.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 那时候?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.