Discussion of 准时/準時 [zhǔn shí] punctual, on time

Discussion of 准时/準時

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准时 vs 按时:
准时 and 按时 have similar meanings. What are their differences?

准时 is an adjective; 按时 is an adverb.

First of all, 准时 can be used as a predicate in a sentence, 按时 cannot be used in this way:
Example: 小明每天上课都很准时。 [phr] Xiao Ming is punctual for the class every day.
Here 准时 is an adjective used as a predicate in the sentence. We cannot replace it with 按时.

Secondly, both 准时 (adj.) and 按时 (adv.) can be used as adverbial adjuncts in a sentence, but the meanings expressed are slightly different:
Examples:
- 他很高兴，全部的工作最终还是按时完成了。 [phr] He was very glad that all the work was finished in time after all.
- 你应该按时吃药。 [phr] You should take the medicines on time.
- 今天雾这么大，飞机能按时起飞吗？ [phr] Today the fog is so dense. Can the plane still take off on time?

按时 literally means "according to the time set out" is more flexible and less specific than 准时.
If we compare 他很高兴，全部的工作最终还是按时完成了 and 他很高兴，全部的工作最终还是准时完成了:
按时完成 is accurate to the day or month (e.g. the work was done by the first week of June), while 准时完成 implies a more specific deadline, down to the time (e.g. the work was done right on time at 9:30 AM on 1 June 2019).

lisaC

Are there any synonyms or antonyms for 准时 (zhǔnshí)?

个学生

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How is 准时 (zhǔnshí) used in everyday conversation?

个学生

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In everyday conversation, 准时 (zhǔnshí) is used to describe someone who is punctual and arrives on time. For example, one might say, "他总是准时 (tā zǒngshì zhǔnshí) 到达 (dàodá)，他很有责任感 (tā hěn yǒu zérèngǎn)。" which translates to "He always arrives on time, he is very responsible."

当老师

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Can 准时 (zhǔnshí) be used in formal or informal contexts?

个学生

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准时 (zhǔnshí) can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The meaning of 准时 is "punctual, on time" and it is pronounced "zhǔn shí". It is a neutral word and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is not considered to be overly formal or overly informal.

当老师

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