Definition
This is a four-character set phrase (成语) meaning 'out of step with the times' or 'inappropriate for the occasion'. It describes actions, remarks, or ideas that don't fit the current situation or social norms — either because they're outdated, premature, or contextually wrong. The literal breakdown is 'not (不) conform to (合) the current time/trend (时宜)'. You'll often see it used as a predicate or attribute, and it carries a slightly negative or critical tone.
f.e.
out of step with the timesuntimelyinappropriate for the occasion
Examples
- ，不合时宜。Tā chuān xīzhuāng qù hǎitān dùjià, shízài yǒudiǎnr bù hé shí yí.He wore a suit to the beach vacation — it was really a bit out of place.
- ，不合时宜。Zài dàjiā dōu zhīchí huánbǎo de shíhou, tā shuō zhè zhǒng huà zhēnshi tài bù hé shí yí le.At a time when everyone supports environmental protection, what he said was really untimely.
- ，不合时宜。Zhège tí'àn suīrán hěn hǎo, dàn zài zhège huìyì shàng tíchū què xiǎnde bù hé shí yí.This proposal is good, but bringing it up at this meeting seems inappropriate for the occasion.
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