Definition
彼一时 is the first half of the set phrase 彼一时,此一时 (bǐ yī shí, cǐ yī shí), which means 'that was then, this is now' — used to say that times have changed and the present situation is different from the past. On its own, 彼一时 refers to 'that past moment' or 'those bygone days', always implying a contrast with the present. The full chengyu is common in formal and literary Chinese.
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(part of the set phrase 彼一时,此一时) that timethat moment (in the past, as opposed to now)
Examples
- 彼一时,。bǐ yī shí de rìzi yǐjīng guòqù le, bié zǒng huáiniàn guòqù.Those days are already gone; don't keep longing for the past.
- 彼一时,。bǐ yī shí hé xiànzài wánquán bùtóng, bù néng zài yòng lǎo bànfǎ le.That time is completely different from now; you can't use the old methods anymore.
- 彼一时,,,。bǐ yī shí, cǐ yī shí, qíngkuàng biàn le, wǒmen yě yào gǎibiàn cèlüè.That was then, this is now; the situation has changed, and we need to change our strategy too.
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