Saying “when”: とき
Describe what happens when it is cold, when you are free, or when you were a child.
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とき means “time” and can introduce a “when” phrase. 子供 の とき is structurally “the time of being a child”; natural English says “when I was a child,” with the person and tense supplied by context.
English puts “when” before the situation: “when it is cold.” Japanese puts とき after it: 寒い とき. The preceding words describe the time or situation.
| how to connect | |
|---|---|
| noun | 子供 の とき |
| i-adjective | 寒い とき |
| na-adjective | 暇 な とき |
| plain-form verb | 行く とき |
Pay attention to the connector: noun + の + とき, and na-adjective + な + とき. I-adjectives and plain-form verbs connect directly. The な in 暇 な とき is essential to this pattern, just like な before other nouns.
Examples
子供 の とき、犬 が 好き でした。
When I was a child, I liked dogs.
寒い とき、家 に います。
When it’s cold, I stay at home.
暇 な とき、映画 を 見ます。
When I’m free, I watch movies.