单词详解

time（BrE /taɪm/）

小试身手
请使用time将以下的12个句子翻译成英文。

1. 他们说时间能治愈所有的伤痛。
2. 我的表很准。
3. 当地时间6点
4. 我觉得该去睡觉了。
5. 我们没有时间可以浪费。
6. 我曾经在埃及住过一段时间。
7. 对于失业者来说日子很艰难。
8. 我每一次听到那首歌都很开心。
9. 我在医院过得很糟。
10. 胜出者花了11.6秒。
11. 这一段音乐是四四拍。
12. 尝试跟上音乐的节拍。

答案

1. 他们说时间能治愈所有的伤痛。 They say that time heals all wounds.
2. 我的表很准。 My watch keeps perfect time (= always shows the correct time).
3. 当地时间6点 6 o’clock local time
4. 我觉得该去睡觉了。 time (to do something) I think it's time to go to bed.
5. 我们没有时间可以浪费。 We have no time to lose (= we must hurry).
6. 我曾经在埃及住过一段时间。 I lived in Egypt for a time.
7. 对于失业者来说日子很艰难。 Times are hard for the unemployed.
8. 我每一次听到那首歌都很开心。 Every time I hear that song I feel happy.
9. 我在医院过得很糟。 I had an awful time in the hospital.
10. 胜出者花了11.6秒。 The winner's time was 11.6 seconds.
11. 这一段音乐是四四拍。 This piece is in four-four time.
12. 尝试跟上音乐的节拍。 Try and dance in time to the music (= with the same speed and rhythm).

12种意思详解（采用意译）

minutes/hours/years, etc.

1. [uncountable] what is measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.

• The changing seasons mark the passing of time. 季节的变迁标志着时间的流逝。
• A visit to the museum will take you back in time to the 1930s. 一次博物馆的游览将带你回到20世纪30年代。
• time and space 时间和空间
• As time went by we saw less and less of each other. 随着时间的流逝，我们越来越不了解对方。
• Perceptions change over time (= as time passes). 认知随着时间而变化。
• They say that time heals all wounds. 他们说时间能治愈一切创伤。

这一条意思主要代指抽象的时间，常用的搭配有 1. 时间的流逝 2. 某某时代某某年代 3. 时间变化。

2. [uncountable] the time shown on a clock in minutes and hours

• What time is it/What’s the time? 现在几点了？
• Do you have the time? 你知道时间吗？
• (British English) What time do you make it? 你表几点了？
• (North American English) What time do you have? 你表几点了？
• The time is now half past ten. 现在十点半。
• (British English) Can she tell the time yet (= say what time it is by looking at a clock)? 她知道时间吗？
• (North American English) Can she tell time yet? 她知道时间吗？
• My watch keeps perfect time (= always shows the correct time). 我的表很准。
• Look at the time! We'll be late. 看看时间！我们会迟到的。
• This time tomorrow I'll be in Canada. 明天这个时候我已经在加拿大了。

这条用法与第一条形成对比，指具体的时间（几点几分），一般用于问时间和表达某个特定的时刻。

3. [uncountable] the time measured in a particular part of the world

• Greenwich Mean Time 格林尼治平均时间（格林尼治标准时间，指位于英国伦敦郊区的皇家格林尼治天文台的标准时间，因为本初子午线被定义在通过那里的经线。缩写为GMT）
• 6 o’clock local time 当地时间六点

这条用法指时区意义上的时间。

4. [uncountable, countable] the time when something happens or when something should happen

• What time do you finish work? 你什么时候能完成？
• The baby loves bath time. 宝宝很喜欢洗澡的时间。
• time (to do something) I think it's time to go to bed. 我觉得该去睡觉了。
• This is hardly the time to discuss politics. 现在不是讨论政治的时候。
• time (for something) It's time for lunch. 到午饭时间了。
• time (that)… It's time the kids were in bed. 到孩子们睡觉的时间了。
• By the time you get there the meeting will be over. 你赶到的时候会应该开完了。
• A computer screen shows arrival and departure times. 电子屏会显示到达时间和出发时间。
• The train arrived right on time (= at exactly the correct time). 火车准点到达。
• You'll feel differently about it when the time comes (= when it happens). 当你自己经历的时候你就不会这样想了。
• Have I called at a bad time? Shall I call back later? 你现在是不是不太方便？我晚点再打过来吧。
• The promotion came at just the right time for me. 这次晋升对我来说正是时候。
• We stock six different beers at any one time. 我们在任何时候都备着六种不同的啤酒。

这条用法介于用法1和用法2之间，既不指完全抽象意义上的时间，也不指具体的时刻，而是指有给定的特定情境的那一刻。经常使用的搭配有 1. 未来的某个时刻 2. 做某事的时刻 3. 到达时间和出发时间 4. 正是时候和不是时候 。

period

5. [uncountable] time (to do something) an amount of time; the amount of time available to work, rest, etc.

• Allow plenty of time to get to the airport. 留出足够的时间以便能赶到机场。
• I can probably make the time to see them. 我可能能挤出时间来见他们。
• It takes time to make changes in the law. 法律修改是需要时间的。
• We have no time to lose (= we must hurry). 我们没有时间可以浪费。
• We got to the airport with time to spare. 我们有足够的时间到达机场。
• He spends most of his time working. 他大部分的时间都在工作。
• She doesn’t have much free/spare time. 她没有多少空闲时间。
• Sorry, I can’t spare the time. 抱歉，我抽不出时间。
• What a waste of time! 简直是浪费时间！
• I didn't finish the test—I ran out of time. 我没有做完考试题--我时间不够。
• Time's up—have you worked out the answer yet? 时间到了--你做出来了吗？
• He never takes any time off (= time spent not working). 他从不休息。
• Jane's worked here for some time (= for a fairly long period of time). 简在这里工作一段时间了。
• Do it now please—not in three hours' time (= three hours from now). 现在就做--而不是三小时后。
• The journey time is two hours. 旅行时间是两小时。
• I don’t want to take up too much of your precious time. 我不想占用太多你宝贵的时间。
• What’s the hurry? We have all the time in the world. 有什么着急的？我们拥有世界上所有的时间。

这一条表示一定数量的时间，一般多用于表示用来工作，休息等特定用途的时间。与前面的释义不同的是这一条表示一段时间而不是某一刻。

6. a time [singular] a period of time, either long or short, during which you do something or something happens

• His injuries will take a long time to heal. 他的伤要好长一段时间才会好。
• Did you have to wait a long time to see the doctor? 你是不是要等很长一段时间才能见到医生？
• I lived in Egypt for a time. 我曾经有一段时间住在埃及。
• The early morning is the best time of day. 清晨是一天中最好的时段。
• Her parents died a long time ago. 他的父母很早以前就过世了。
• At one time (= at a period of time in the past) Emily was my best friend. 艾米丽曾经是我最好的朋友。
• Mr Curtis was the manager in my time (= when I was working there). 我在那儿工作的时候柯蒂斯先生是经理。

这一用法表示特定情境下的一段时间，可以与4进行对比。常用于过去时态。一般用于单数。

7. [uncountable, plural] a period of history connected with particular events or experiences in people’s lives

• The movie is set at the time of the Russian Revolution. 这部电影的背景被定为俄国大革命时期。
• in ancient times 在古时候
• the violent times we live in (= the present period of history) 我们生活的暴力时代
• the politician who promised ‘peace in our time’ 承诺“我们这个时代的和平”的政治家
• Times are hard for the unemployed. 失业者们的日子很难过。
• Times have changed since Grandma was young. 祖父很小的时候起时代就变了。

6中用法多为个人行为，而这条用法多赋予重大事件的含义，语义重，用于过去式，使用不可数或复数，常译为 1. 时期 2. 时代 3. 日子 。

8. [countable] an occasion when you do something or when something happens

• Every time I hear that song I feel happy. 我每次听到那首歌都会很开心。
• It doesn't matter if you don't win every time (= every time you play). 你不用每次都赢。
• Next time you're here let's have lunch together. 下次你来的时候一起吃午饭吧。
• He failed his driving test three times. 他驾考三次都没过。
• He's determined to pass this time. 他决定这次一定要通过。
• When was the last time you saw her? 你上次什么时候见到她的？
• How many times (= how often) do I have to tell you not to do that? 我要告诉你几遍不能做那件事？
• (especially North American English) I remember one time (= once) we had to abandon our car in the snow. 我记得有一次大雪我们不得不丢弃我们的车。
• (formal) At no time did I give my consent to the plan. 我无论怎样都没有同意那个计划。

To talk about the first or the last time you do something, use the first/last time (that) I…:This is the first time (that) I’ve been to London.This is the first time for me to go to London.That was the last time (that) I saw her.

某一特定情境，可数，常用搭配为 1. 每次，几次，这次，下次，上次 2. 有一次，任何时候

occasion/event

9. [countable] an event or occasion that you experience in a particular way

• Did you have a good time in Spain? 你在西班牙过得开心吗？
• I had an awful time in the hospital. 我在医院里过得很糟。
• Mike and I shared some really good times. 迈克和我分享了一些好的经历。

指某次经历。

for race

10. [countable, uncountable] how long somebody takes to run a race or complete an event

• The winner's time was 11.6 seconds. 第一名花了11.6秒。
• She completed the 500 metres in record time (= faster than any previous runner). 她刷新了500米跑的记录。
• one of the fastest times ever 曾经的一次记录

这条中的time表示记录时间，用于跑步等竞技中。

in music

11. [uncountable] the number of beats in a bar / measure of music

• This piece is in four-four time. 这一段音乐是四四拍。
• a slow waltz time 一段慢速的华尔兹
• The conductor beat time with a baton. 指挥用指挥棒打拍子。

这个用法之前都没有见过，主要表示音乐中的节拍。

12. [uncountable] the correct speed and rhythm of a piece of music

• Try and dance in time to the music (= with the same speed and rhythm). 尝试跟上音乐的节拍。
• Clap your hands to keep time (= sing or move with the correct speed and rhythm). 拍手来跟上节拍。
• to play in/out of time (= follow/not follow the correct speed and rhythm) 跟上节拍/跟不上节拍
• He always plays in perfect time. 他总是完美地跟上节拍。

同样表示音乐的节拍，但与上一条不同的时这里不是指节拍本身（几几拍），而是指音乐的快慢（需要音乐细胞），常用于搭配 1. in time to the music 2. kepp time 3. to play in time/out of time

总结

• 12种意思可以分为5个大类，分别为 1. minutes/hours/years, etc. 2. period 3. occasion/event 4. for race 5. in music
• 有可数也有不可数，一般原则为抽象不可数，具体可数
• 对应中文译文有 1. 时间 2. 一次两次三次 3. 时代时期 4. 曾经有一次 5. 时间记录 6. 音乐节拍

小试身手2
请尝试理解下面的12个英文句子。

1. His designs were way ahead of his time.
2. She leaves the lights on all the time.
3. You have to be firm, but at the same time you should try and be sympathetic.
4. She ran up the stairs two at a time.
5. Eyesight doesn't get any better at my time of life.
6. The rain will become heavy at times in the afternoon.
7. She beat time with her fingers.
8. She got old before her time.
9. According to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time.
10. He decided to bide his time until he got an opportunity to talk to her alone.
11. The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park.
12. It is possible that in the course of time a cure for cancer will be found.

答案

1. His designs were way ahead of his time. 他的设计远远领先于他的时代。
2. She leaves the lights on all the time. 她总是忘记关灯。
3. You have to be firm, but at the same time you should try and be sympathetic. 你必须坚定，但同时你应该尝试并且富有同情心。
4. She ran up the stairs two at a time. 她每次跨两个台阶。
5. Eyesight doesn't get any better at my time of life. 在我这个年纪，视力不会变好了。
6. The rain will become heavy at times in the afternoon. 下午有时雨会变大。
7. She beat time with her fingers. 她用手指打节拍。
8. She got old before her time. 她比同龄人老得快。
9. According to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time. 根据最近的民意调查，政府已经是在苟延残喘。
10. He decided to bide his time until he got an opportunity to talk to her alone. 他决定在有单独和她讲话的机会前等待时机。
11. The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park. 孩子们在主题公园玩得很开心。
12. It is possible that in the course of time a cure for cancer will be found. 癌症的治疗法在未来很有可能会被找到。

搭配

1. They're working against time to try and get people out of the rubble alive.

against time
if you do something against time, you do it as fast as you can because you do not have much time

中文所说的“与死神抢时间”完美诠释了这个习语吧。

2. We finished 15 minutes ahead of time.

ahead of/behind time
earlier/later than was expected

提前，落后，这个很简单。

3. His designs were way ahead of his time.

ahead of your time
having advanced or new ideas that other people use or copy later

译为 他的设计远远领先于他的时代。
这里要注意way表示副词意思是“远远地”，然后是该词组译为 领先时代

4. She leaves the lights on all the time.

all the time, the whole time

• particular period of time
  The letter was in my pocket all the time (= while I was looking for it).
• very often; repeatedly
  She leaves the lights on all the time.

我们一般对上面一个用法比较熟悉，而没有怎么见过第二个用法，该句译为 她总是忘记关灯。

5. Our representatives are ready to help you at all times.

at all times
always

表示总是

6. He's never very happy at the best of times—he'll be much worse now!

at the best of times
even when the circumstances are very good

在最好的情况下

7. You have to be firm, but at the same time you should try and be sympathetic.

at the same time

• at one time; together
  She was laughing and crying at the same time.
• used to introduce a contrasting fact, etc. that must be considered
  You have to be firm, but at the same time you should try and be sympathetic.

中文均可译为“同时”，但是第一个用法为真实的同时，而第二个用法表示要同时具有两个看似矛盾的特质或考虑到两个形成对比的事实。

8. She ran up the stairs two at a time.

at a time

• separately or in groups of two, three, etc. on each occasion
  We had to go and see the principal one at a time.
  She ran up the stairs two at a time.

表示一次做一件事或一次做几件事。

9. Eyesight doesn't get any better at my time of life.

at my, your, his, etc. time of life
at the age you are (especially when you are not young)

表达某人几岁时的高级用法。

10. The rain will become heavy at times in the afternoon.

at times

• sometimes
  He can be really bad-tempered at times.

sometimes的高级表达。

11. She beat time with her fingers.

beat time (to something)
to mark or follow the rhythm of music, by waving a stick, tapping your foot, etc.

她用手指打节拍。

12. She got old before her time.

before my, your, his, etc. time

• happening before you were born or can remember or before you lived, worked, etc. somewhere
  ‘Were you taught by Professor Pascal?’ ‘No, he was before my time.’
• before the usual time in somebody’s life when something happens
  She got old before her time.

她比同龄人老得快。

13. According to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time.

be (living) on borrowed time

• to still be alive after the time when you were expected to die
  He’s been living on borrowed time ever since his last heart attack.
• to be doing something that other people are likely to soon stop you from doing
  According to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time.

“借来的时间”要么表示向死神借的，要么表示苟延残喘。

14. He decided to bide his time until he got an opportunity to talk to her alone.

bide your time
to wait for the right time to do something

bide表示等待，该词组表示等待时机。

15. The negotiators kept the gunman talking to buy time for the hostages.

buy time
to do something in order to delay an event, a decision, etc.

拖延时间

16. I don't really like cities—give me the countryside every time.

every time
whenever there is a choice

17. From that day forth she gave me endless friendship and encouragement.

from that day/time forth
(literary) beginning on that day; from that time

18. The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park.

have a whale of a time
(informal) to enjoy yourself very much; to have a very good time

19. It is possible that in the course of time a cure for cancer will be found.

in the course of time
when enough time has passed

20. I have no doubt that she’ll tell us in the fullness of time.

in the fullness of time
when the time is appropriate, usually after a long period

21. They escaped from the smoke-filled house just in the nick of time.

in the nick of time
(informal) at the very last moment; just in time before something bad happens

22. He always does the work, but in his own sweet time.

in your own sweet time/way
how and when you want to, even though this might annoy other people

23. We made excellent time and arrived in Spain in two days.

make good, etc. time
to complete a journey quickly