wong5 zan6 si4往陣時往阵时

Jyutpingwong5 zan6 si4

Yalewóhng jahn sìh

名詞

Definition

In the past; previously.

colloquialtime

How it's used

This term carries a nostalgic or reflective tone, often used when comparing current circumstances to a previous era. It is distinctly colloquial and sounds more natural in casual conversation than the more formal 以前. Speakers frequently use it to highlight how much things have changed over time.

Examples

wong5往zan6陣si4時di1啲jan4人hou2好siu2少ceot1出gaai1街sik6食faan6飯。

People rarely ate out in the past.

nei5你wong5往zan6陣si4時hai6係mai6咪zyu6住hai2喺nei1呢dou6度㗎？

Did you live here in the past?

Common phrases

wong5往zan6陣si4時ge3嘅sang1生wut6活

life in the past

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse this with 嗰陣時, which specifically refers to a particular moment or period in the past rather than the general concept of the past. Using 往陣時 to mean 'at that time' can sound slightly awkward compared to 嗰陣時.