HSK 7
时A时B
shí A shí B
The structure 时A时B (now... now...)
Explanation
时A时B is a fixed four-character structure used to describe a state that shifts back and forth, "now this way, now that way," unstable. 时 (shí) here means "sometimes, at times."
时 (shí) + A + 时 (shí) + B, where A and B are usually two monosyllabic adjectives/verbs that are antonyms or opposites. For example, 时好时坏 (shí hǎo shí huài) = "now good, now bad"; 时长时短 (shí cháng shí duǎn) = "now long, now short."
when describing a thing or state that fluctuates erratically and unpredictably; this phrase functions as an adverbial (a component indicating time, place, or manner) or as a predicate (the part stating the action or quality of the subject).
A and B are usually monosyllabic (single-character) words, so choose a familiar antonym pair (好/坏, 长/短, 快/慢, 冷/热).
putting a two-syllable word in the A/B slot, which breaks the four-character rhythm; choosing A and B that are not opposites, which makes the sense of "shifting back and forth" unclear.
Examples
The sounds the little bird makes are now long, now short.
His grades are sometimes good and sometimes bad, and even his teachers can do nothing about him.
Practice
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Learn “时A时B” effectively
The grammar point “时A时B” (The structure 时A时B (now... now...)) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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