when; by the time
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplespreposition
when; by the time
literaryUsed in formal or literary contexts to indicate an action occurring up to a certain point in time, often with the result that something has already happened or changed.
Bǐ比
jí及
gǎn赶
dào到
，
chuán船
yǐ已
lí离
àn岸
。
By the time we rushed there, the boat had already left the shore.
Bǐ比
jí及
tā他
xǐng醒
wù悟
guò过
lái来
，
wéi为
shí时
yǐ已
wǎn晚
。
By the time he came to his senses, it was already too late.
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Bǐ比
jí及
huā花
kāi开
，
chūn春
yǐ已
guò过
bàn半
。
By the time the flowers bloom, spring is already half over.