HSK 6
顿时
dùnshí
suddenly
Structure
Specific Action/Event + 顿时 + Change/Result
How it works
顿时 is an adverb used to describe a change that occurs immediately after a specific event or cause. It is often used in narratives to indicate a sudden transformation in atmosphere, emotion, or a physical state within a very short period.
Examples
喜讯传来，人们顿时欢呼起来。
Xǐxùn chuánlái, rénmen dùnshí huānhū qǐlái.
When the good news arrived, people immediately burst into cheers.
大雨一停，天空顿时变得晴朗了。
Dàyǔ yì tíng, tiānkōng dùnshí biàn de qínglǎng le.
As soon as the heavy rain stopped, the sky suddenly became clear.
听完这段话，他的脸顿时红了。
Tīng wán zhè duàn huà, tā de liǎn dùnshí hóng le.
After hearing these words, his face suddenly turned red.
Common mistakes
Confusing '顿时' with '立刻' (lìkè). While both mean 'immediately', '顿时' is primarily used to describe sudden changes in the past, often emphasizing a change in state or feeling, whereas '立刻' focuses more on the promptness of a deliberate action.
Tip
Think of '顿时' as 'in a flash.' It almost always follows a 'trigger' event mentioned in the first half of the sentence.
More HSK 6 grammar
See 顿时 in real Chinese
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