准时到

You usually put it at the end of a sentence. You can use it as a promise or a request. Use it with 我会 (I will) to reassure someone. Use it with 请 (please) to set expectations for others. It is a very flexible building block for your daily plans.

Use it for business meetings where time is money. Use it for dinner reservations so you don't lose your table. It is perfect for catching trains or meeting friends at the cinema. If there is a clock involved, this phrase fits. It shows you respect the other person's schedule.

Don't use it if you are already late. That just sounds like a lie! Also, avoid it in super relaxed 'come whenever' house parties. In those cases, 准时到 might sound a bit too stiff. If the time is vague, like 'afternoon,' this phrase feels out of place.

In modern Chinese cities, being 准时 is a sign of high 'professionalism.' Traffic in places like Beijing or Shanghai is legendary. If you manage to 准时到 despite the chaos, people really appreciate it. It shows you are reliable and have good 'time concept' (时间观念).

You might hear 准时到达 in formal airport announcements. Friends might just say 准点 for 'on the dot.' If you want to be extra emphatic, add 一定 (definitely) before it. 我一定准时到 is the ultimate promise of a reliable friend.