准时, 守时, 及时 and 按时 are four words related to time. They are very easily misused. The following tips help you figure out how to use them correctly.
准时, used as an adverb or adjective
准时, punctual, on time, on schedule, mostly modify people or means of transportation 多用来修饰人或者是交通工具.
Examples:
请准时出席。Please be punctual. (used as an adjective to modify people)
他总是很准时。我去看看他是否已经来了。He‘s always very punctual. I‘ll see if he‘s here yet. (used as an adjective to modify people)
们将于16分钟后准时在巴黎降落。We shall be landing in Paris in sixteen minutes, exactly on time. (used as an adverb to modify people)
从北京开来的那列快车准时进站了。The express from Beijing pulled in on time. (used as an adverb to modify means of transportation)
他们的飞机通常都会准时抵达。Their planes usually arrive on time. (used as an adverb to modify means of transportation)
守时, used as a verb or adjective
守时, show up punctually o be punctual, only can modify people, and can’t modify other things.
Examples:
I’m a chauffeur. Generally speaking, a chauffeur must be punctual. 我是个司机。总的来说，司机必须要守时。 wǒ shì gè sī jī 。 zǒng de lái shuō , sī jī bì xū yào shǒu shí 。
她总是很守时，可是她的朋友总是迟到。Tā zǒng shì hěn shǒu shí, kě shì tā de péng yǒu zǒng shì chí dào. She is always punctual, but her friend is always late.
首先，学生应该守时，守信，不撒谎。shǒu xiān, xué shēng yīng gāi shǒu shí, shǒu xìn, bù sā huǎng。First, students should be punctual, trustworthy, do not lie.
及时, used as an adjective or adverb
及时 timely, promptly, seasonable, in time, without delay, etc, can modify both people and things.
这真是场及时雨呀! This is a timely rain indeed. (used as an adjective to modify rain)
我希望你能及时把钱汇寄给我。I hope you‘ll remit me the money in time. (used as an adverb to modify people)
有问题要及时解决。Problems, if any, should be solved without delay. (used as an adverb to modify people)
按时, used as an adverb
按时 on time, on schedule, can modify both people or things.
今天早上班机按时起飞。The airliner got off this morning on time.
Thanks to your hard work, we can fulfil the task on time. 托赖大家的努力, 才能按时完成任务。