kei4 si4其時其时

Jyutpingkei4 si4

Yalekèih sìh

Uncommon

Definition

By that time; by then.

writtentime

How it's used

Functions as a temporal marker to indicate a specific point in time that has already passed or is being referenced as a deadline. It is more formal than the common spoken phrase 到嗰陣時, often appearing in narrative contexts or when recounting a sequence of events. Using it in casual conversation can sound slightly literary or overly precise.

Examples

keoi5佢heoi3去dou3到kei4其si4時ji5已ging1經saan1閂zo2咗mun4門laa3喇。

By the time he arrived, it was already closed.

nei5你kei4其si4時faan1返dou3到uk1屋kei2企mei6未aa4呀？

Had you arrived home by then?

Common phrases

kei4其si4時ji5已ging1經

already by then

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 嗰陣時, which is the standard colloquial way to say at that time. Using 其時 in everyday speech can make you sound like you are reading from a book or a formal report.