平时 píngshí usually
ordinarily; in normal times; in peacetime
How to remember 平时: 平 level + 时 time = usually.
Characters
How it is used
- "normally, on ordinary days" - 平时我七点起床 (píngshí wǒ qī diǎn qǐchuáng) I usually get up at seven.
- Sets up a contrast with a special time, typically 周末 or 考试的时候: 平时不忙，周末很忙.
- Near-synonym 平常 (píngcháng) overlaps, but 平时 leans on "in the usual run of days" as an adverb of habit.
Example sentences
- 今天比平时还忙。 Jīntiān bǐ píngshí hái máng.Today's even busier than normal.
- 你平时喜爱做运动吗？ Nǐ píngshí xǐ'ài zuò yùndòng ma?Do you normally like doing sports?