Time Adverbs

Time adverbs modify verbs to indicate timing and can appear at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb. Each example shows the adverb in context with a simple sentence.

Expressions like gāng and mǎshàng signal very short or immediate time and are useful for near-past or near-future actions. They often appear before the verb.

Past time adverbs anchor actions firmly in the past and often appear at the start of a sentence. They help narrate events in chronological order.

Future time adverbs signal when an action will happen and are commonly used in plans and intentions. They usually precede the verb or appear at the sentence front.

Some adverbs describe general or habitual time rather than a specific moment, useful for routines and repeated actions. They can modify frequency or unspecific timing.

Time adverbs consistently appear either at the sentence start or immediately before the verb to signal when an action occurs. Learning a handful of common adverbs for past, present, and future will make your descriptions much clearer.