Time Adverbs: 不时, 将, 将要, 仍旧, 时常, 时刻, 依旧, 一向
时间副词：不时、将、将要、仍旧、时常、时刻、依旧、一向
Express nuanced time relationships — from "occasionally" and "constantly" to "still" and "about to"
These time adverbs are placed before the predicate. They express various temporal nuances: 不时 (from time to time), 将/将要 (will/about to), 仍旧/依旧 (still/as before), 时常 (often), 时刻 (at all times), 一向 (always/consistently).
将 and 将要 are formal — used in writing, news, and official contexts. 仍旧 and 依旧 both mean "still / as before" and are interchangeable in most cases. 一向 emphasizes a long-standing habit or characteristic.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Time Adverbs: 不时, 将, 将要, 仍旧, 时常, 时刻, 依旧, 一向 (时间副词：不时、将、将要、仍旧、时常、时刻、依旧、一向)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 时间副词：不时、将、将要、仍旧、时常、时刻、依旧、一向 pattern
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Understanding 时间副词：不时、将、将要、仍旧、时常、时刻、依旧、一向
This lesson introduces eight time adverbs that will dramatically expand your ability to express when and how often things happen. 不时 means "from time to time" — things pop up unexpectedly at irregular intervals. 将 and 将要 both express the near future ("will / about to") but are more formal than 要 or 快要, making them perfect for written Chinese and news. 仍旧 and 依旧 both mean "still" or "as before" — they express continuity and are more literary than 还是. 时常 means "often" and is a more elegant alternative to 常常. 时刻 means "at all times / every moment" and carries emotional weight — it suggests something is constantly on your mind. 一向 means "always / consistently" and refers to a long-standing pattern. Mastering these gives you the precision to describe time relationships like a native speaker.
Key Points
- 不时 (bùshí) = "from time to time / occasionally" — irregular, unexpected recurrence.
- 将 (jiāng) = "will / shall" — formal future tense, common in written Chinese.
- 将要 (jiāngyào) = "about to / will soon" — formal equivalent of 快要.
- 仍旧 (réngjiù) = "still / as before" — emphasizes unchanged state.
- 时常 (shícháng) = "often / frequently" — elegant alternative to 常常.
- 时刻 (shíkè) = "at all times / every moment" — constant, emotionally charged.
- 依旧 (yījiù) = "still / as before" — interchangeable with 仍旧, slightly more literary.
- 一向 (yíxiàng) = "always / consistently" — long-standing habit or characteristic.
The adverb 时刻 often appears in emotionally powerful sentences about family and homeland. 我时刻想念着你 (I think of you at every moment) is a deeply heartfelt expression. In Chinese culture, expressing that someone is constantly on your mind shows deep affection and loyalty.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我不时想起过去的事情。
I think of past events from time to time.
明年我们将去国外考察。
Next year we will go abroad for a study tour.
电视剧将要开始了。
The TV drama is about to start.
二十年过去了，他仍旧没结婚。
Twenty years have passed, and he still has not married.
长大以后，我时常怀念我的故乡。
After growing up, I often miss my hometown.
在国外，我时刻想念着国内的亲人。
Abroad, I think of my family back home at every moment.
十年过去了，他依旧住在那里。
Ten years have passed, and he still lives there.
他一向不爱说话。
He has always been quiet (not one for talking).
Common Mistakes
将 is formal and literary — do not use it for everyday plans like grocery shopping. Use 要 or 打算 for casual contexts. Save 将 for written Chinese, news, or formal announcements.
一向 describes a long-standing pattern or habit, not a single completed event. Do not use 了 with 一向 for individual incidents.
时刻 means "at every single moment" — you cannot go to the library at every moment. For "often," use 时常 or 常常.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Group by function: FUTURE (将, 将要), FREQUENCY (不时, 时常, 时刻), CONTINUITY (仍旧, 依旧), HABIT (一向).
Use 将 when reading/writing news and formal texts — it is the mark of written Chinese fluency.
时刻 is your "every moment" word — save it for emotional, heartfelt statements.
一向 is perfect for describing someone's personality: 他一向认真, 她一向很安静.
Homework
Write a short letter to a friend you have not seen in years. Use at least five of the eight time adverbs: describe how things have or have not changed (仍旧/依旧), what you have always been like (一向), how often you think of them (时常/时刻/不时), and what you plan to do (将/将要).