shǒushí: 守时 - Punctual, On Time

• Keywords: shoushi meaning, shou shi, 守时, punctual in Chinese, on time in Chinese, Chinese business culture, punctuality in China, Chinese etiquette, respect others' time
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 守时 (shǒushí), the Chinese word for being punctual. This entry explores not just the translation of “on time,” but its deep cultural significance in China as a sign of respect, reliability, and good character. Learn how to use 守时 (shǒushí) correctly in business and social situations, and understand its connection to key cultural values.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shǒushí
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To be punctual; to keep to an appointed time.
• In a Nutshell: 守时 (shǒushí) describes the quality or action of being on time. More than just a logistical detail, it's a personal virtue that reflects one's respect for others, seriousness about commitments, and overall reliability. A person who is 守时 (shǒushí) is seen as trustworthy and considerate.

• 守 (shǒu): To guard, to keep, to defend, or to observe (a rule or promise). Think of a guard protecting a post or a person keeping a promise.
• 时 (shí): Time, hour, o'clock. This character is straightforwardly about the concept of time.
• When combined, 守时 (shǒushí) literally means “to guard the time” or “to observe the time.” This paints a vivid picture of actively protecting and respecting a scheduled appointment, rather than passively letting time slip by.

In Chinese culture, being 守时 (shǒushí) is not merely a suggestion; it's a fundamental expression of respect (尊重, zūnzhòng). While in some Western cultures being “fashionably late” might be acceptable in certain social contexts, this concept does not translate well into Chinese culture, especially for formal or initial meetings. Being punctual demonstrates that you value the other person's time as much as your own. In a business context, arriving late can be interpreted as a sign of disrespect, a lack of seriousness, or even arrogance, potentially damaging a business relationship before it begins. It is common practice to arrive 5-10 minutes early for important appointments to show preparedness and sincerity. This emphasis on punctuality is tied to the collective nature of the culture. Wasting someone's time is seen as disrupting their plans and, by extension, causing inconvenience to the group. Therefore, being 守时 (shǒushí) is a way of maintaining social harmony and showing that you are a reliable and considerate member of the community or team.

• In Business: Punctuality is paramount. Being 守时 (shǒushí) is a non-negotiable expectation. A person who is consistently on time is considered 靠谱 (kàopǔ)—reliable and trustworthy.
• In Social Life: Among close friends, there might be slightly more flexibility, but it's still considered rude to be significantly late without a valid reason and prior notification (e.g., sending a WeChat message about traffic). For planned events like dinner reservations, movies, or meeting someone's family, being 守时 (shǒushí) is the strong social norm.
• Connotation: The term carries a completely positive connotation. It is a compliment and a desirable personal trait.

• Example 1:
  • 他是一个非常守时的人。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yī gè fēicháng shǒushí de rén.
  • English: He is a very punctual person.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes someone's character. 守时 is used here as an adjective to describe a personal quality.
• Example 2:
  • 在中国，开会守时是对别人的一种尊重。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, kāihuì shǒushí shì duì biérén de yī zhǒng zūnzhòng.
  • English: In China, being on time for a meeting is a form of respect for others.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the cultural value behind the concept. Here, 守时 functions as a verb phrase, “to be on time.”
• Example 3:
  • 请大家明天务必守时，我们九点准时出发。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng dàjiā míngtiān wùbì shǒushí, wǒmen jiǔ diǎn zhǔnshí chūfā.
  • English: Everyone please be sure to be on time tomorrow, we will depart at nine o'clock sharp.
  • Analysis: This is a command or a strong request. It highlights the difference between 守时 (the habit/act of being punctual) and 准时 (zhǔnshí) (departing exactly on schedule).
• Example 4:
  • 我为我上次的迟到道歉，我保证下次一定守时。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wèi wǒ shàngcì de chídào dàoqiàn, wǒ bǎozhèng xiàcì yīdìng shǒushí.
  • English: I apologize for being late last time, I promise I will definitely be on time next time.
  • Analysis: This shows 守时 used in an apology, promising to adopt the correct behavior in the future.
• Example 5:
  • 养成守时的好习惯对你的未来很有帮助。
  • Pinyin: Yǎngchéng shǒushí de hǎo xíguàn duì nǐ de wèilái hěn yǒu bāngzhù.
  • English: Developing the good habit of being punctual will be very helpful for your future.
  • Analysis: This frames 守时 as a “good habit” (好习惯, hǎo xíguàn), which is a common way to talk about this trait.
• Example 6:
  • 作为一个老师，他总是以守时为学生树立榜样。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī gè lǎoshī, tā zǒngshì yǐ shǒushí wèi xuéshēng shùlì bǎngyàng.
  • English: As a teacher, he always sets an example for students by being punctual.
  • Analysis: This example demonstrates 守时 as an exemplary quality, something to be emulated.
• Example 7:
  • 谢谢你的守时，我们现在可以开始了。
  • Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ de shǒushí, wǒmen xiànzài kěyǐ kāishǐ le.
  • English: Thank you for your punctuality, we can start now.
  • Analysis: Here, 守时 is used as a noun (“punctuality”) to thank someone directly.
• Example 8:
  • 他的成功，一部分要归功于他严谨和守时的作风。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng, yī bùfèn yào guīgōng yú tā yánjǐn hé shǒushí de zuòfēng.
  • English: His success is partly attributable to his rigorous and punctual style.
  • Analysis: This links 守时 with other positive professional traits like being rigorous or meticulous (严谨, yánjǐn).
• Example 9:
  • 如果你不能守时，至少应该提前通知对方。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bùnéng shǒushí, zhìshǎo yīnggāi tíqián tōngzhī duìfāng.
  • English: If you can't be on time, you should at least notify the other party in advance.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides practical advice related to the social expectation of being 守时.
• Example 10:
  • 守时是建立信任的第一步。
  • Pinyin: Shǒushí shì jiànlì xìnrèn de dì yī bù.
  • English: Being punctual is the first step to building trust.
  • Analysis: This sentence concisely summarizes the deep cultural importance of the term, linking it directly to trust (信任, xìnrèn).

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 守时 (shǒushí) and 准时 (zhǔnshí).

• 守时 (shǒushí): Refers to a person's character, habit, or virtue of being punctual. It's about the person's general tendency.
  • Correct: 他很守时。(Tā hěn shǒushí.) - He is a punctual person.
  • Incorrect: 火车很守时。 (The train is a punctual “person”.)
• 准时 (zhǔnshí): Refers to a specific event or action happening exactly on schedule. It can be used for people, but also for things like trains, planes, and meetings.
  • Correct: 会议准时开始了。(Huìyì zhǔnshí kāishǐ le.) - The meeting started on time.
  • Correct: 火车准时到达了。(Huǒchē zhǔnshí dàodá le.) - The train arrived on time.
  • Correct: 他准时到了。(Tā zhǔnshí dào le.) - He arrived on time (for this specific event).

Key Mistake: Using 守时 (shǒushí) to describe an inanimate object or a single event. While you can say “他很守时” (he is a punctual person) and “他准时到了” (he arrived on time for this event), you would not say “火车很守时”. You must say “火车很准时”.

• 准时 (zhǔnshí) - On time, punctual (for a specific event, not a character trait).
• 迟到 (chídào) - To be late, to arrive late. The direct antonym of being on time.
• 早到 (zǎodào) - To arrive early. Often seen as a positive practice for important meetings.
• 时间观念 (shíjiān guānniàn) - “Time concept”; a person's sense of time and punctuality. Someone who is 守时 has a strong 时间观念.
• 靠谱 (kàopǔ) - Reliable, trustworthy. A person who is 守时 is almost always considered 靠谱.
• 尊重 (zūnzhòng) - To respect. Being 守时 is a key way to show 尊重.
• 信用 (xìnyòng) - Trustworthiness, credit. Punctuality is essential for building personal and professional 信用.
• 约会 (yuēhuì) - Appointment, date. A common situation where being 守时 is expected.
• 拖延 (tuōyán) - To procrastinate, to delay. The opposite behavior of being proactive and 守时.