dài

迨

Character · PrepositionTraditional逮

wait until; take advantage of (an opportunity)

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 4 examples
1.

preposition

by the time; when; until

literary

A formal or classical Chinese preposition used to indicate a point in time, often to introduce a subsequent event or state.

Dài逮
zhì至
mù暮
chūn春
 ，
cǎo草
mù木
jiē皆
lǜ绿
 。

By the time late spring arrives, all the grass and trees turn green.

Shì事
tài态
yán严
zhòng重
 ，
dài逮
wú吾
wén闻
zhī之
 ，
yǐ已
wú无
kě可
wǎn挽
huí回
 。

The situation was critical, and by the time I heard about it, it was already irreparable.

2.

preposition

while; taking advantage of (an opportunity); when there is

literary

Used in formal or literary contexts to indicate seizing an opportunity or acting while a condition exists.

Qǐng请
dài逮
qí其
wèi未
dìng定
ér而
jī击
zhī之
 。

Please attack them while they are still unsettled.

Dài逮
cǐ此
liáng良
jī机
 ，
bù不
kě可
cuò错
guò过
 。

Seize this excellent opportunity; it must not be missed.