……之际
at the moment when; on the occasion of (formal)
Structure
（在／正当） 事件 之际 ， 主句
What it means
“At the moment when; on the occasion of”: the written form of 的时候, kept for weighty moments such as turning points, crises, festivals and farewells.
How it is built
(在／正当) + event + 之际 ， + main clause: 正当大家犹豫之际，她第一个站了出来 (just as everyone was hesitating, she was the first to step forward).
When to use it
Formal; speeches and greetings love 在…之际: 在新年到来之际. Typical: 危急之际, 告别之际, 春节来临之际. In everyday talk say …的时候.
Watch out
It goes after a phrase, never after a clock time, and sounds odd with everyday trivia. ✗ 三点之际 ✓ 三点的时候. ✗ 吃饭之际 ✓ 吃饭的时候.
Examples
就在天下大乱之际，走投无路的朱元璋投奔了红巾军。
At that moment of chaos across the land, Zhu Yuanzhang, with nowhere else to turn, joined the Red Turbans.
在新年到来之际，我代表公司向全体员工表示感谢。
As the new year arrives, I would like to thank all our staff on behalf of the company.
正当大家犹豫之际，她第一个站了出来。
Just as everyone was hesitating, she was the first to step forward.
Learn this in Lesson 96 · HSK 6–7: 从乞丐到皇帝：明朝 (From beggar to emperor: the Ming)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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