zi1 zai3之際之际

Jyutpingzi1 zai3

Yalejī jai

詞綴Common

Definition

During, at the time of, or upon a certain event.

writtentime

How it's used

Literary in nature, this term is almost exclusively found in formal writing, news reports, or speeches rather than daily conversation. It functions as a formal substitute for 嗰陣時 or 嘅時候, lending a sense of gravity or specific timing to an event. Using it in casual speech will sound overly dramatic or like someone reading from a script.

Examples

lam4臨bit6別zi1之zai3際，keoi5佢sung3送zo2咗fan2份lai5禮mat6物bei2畀ngo5我。

At the moment of parting, he gave me a gift.

喺hai2交gaau1接zip3之zi1際，zai3大daai6家gaa1都dou1要jiu3保bou2持ci4冷laang5靜。

During the handover, everyone needs to stay calm.

Common phrases

lam4臨bit6別zi1之zai3際

at the moment of parting

gaau1交zip3接zi1之zai3際

during the transition or handover

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use it in casual sentences where 嗰陣時 is more natural. It is not a particle that can be attached to any verb, but rather a formal noun phrase marker that requires a preceding verb or noun to establish the specific time frame.