When do I use …的时候 vs …时?

Use …的时候 in everyday conversation and informal writing; use …时 in formal writing, news, speeches, and official contexts. If you're unsure and the situation is neutral, …的时候 is safer in spoken Chinese.

Can I use …时 in spoken Chinese?

Yes, but it may sound overly formal or abrupt. It is common in set expressions like 平时 (usually) or 有时 (sometimes), but in full clauses (e.g., '到了时叫醒我') it can feel stiff. Stick to …的时候 for natural speech.

Is …时 always interchangeable with …的时候?

No. In meaning, both express 'when', but register is different. Also, …的时候 can mean 'while' for two simultaneous actions, whereas …时 rarely does. For example, '听音乐时做作业' is possible but less common than '听音乐的时候做作业'.

Can I use 在 with both forms?

在 is commonly used with …的时候 (在…的时候) for a more colloquial feel. With …时, 在 is correct but very formal; it’s more often omitted (e.g., 开会时 not 在开会时). In writing, dropping 在 is standard.

Easily confusedHSK 3

…的时候 vs …时 (de shíhou vs shí): the formal and informal 'when'

In Chinese, both …的时候 and …时 mean 'when' or 'while' in temporal clauses, but they differ in register and nuance. …的时候 is the standard colloquial form used in everyday speech and informal writing. …时 is a terse, formal alternative found in written Chinese, official documents, and literary contexts. Choosing the right one depends on the formality of the situation.

The primary difference between …的时候 and …时 is register: …的时候 is the default, conversational way to express 'when' or 'while' in a time clause, while …时 is a literary or formal variant that appears in writing, news, and formal speech. …的时候 can also convey simultaneous actions (like 'while'), whereas …时 typically marks a point in time or a general condition. Both structures can be placed before or after the main clause, but …的时候 often pairs with the preposition 在, while …时 usually stands alone.

Cuándo usar cada uno

…的时候… de shí hou

when, while

Use …的时候 in spoken Mandarin and informal writing to introduce a time clause. It is the natural choice for everyday conversation, such as when talking about past events, habits, or simultaneous actions. It can be freely combined with 在 (zài) for extra clarity or emphasis.

…的时候 can also mean 'while' for two simultaneous actions (e.g., 听音乐的时候看书 'read while listening to music'). It may be omitted after certain time nouns like 上课 (class) without changing the meaning, but the 的时候 form remains more colloquial.

…时… shí

when (formal)

Use …时 in formal written Chinese, official documents, news reports, academic writing, and literary works. It is concise and preferred when brevity is needed. It often follows verbs or verb phrases directly without extra particles, creating a compact time clause.

Because …时 is formal, using it in casual speech can sound stiff or affected. In some fixed expressions like 有时 (sometimes) or 平时 (usually), 时 acts as a bound morpheme; these are distinct from its use as a conjunction.

De un vistazo

	…的时候	…时
Register	colloquial / spoken	formal / written
Typical context	everyday conversation, informal writing	news, official statements, literature, formal speeches
Simultaneous action ('while')	commonly used	rare; more likely to use 同时 or 一边
Use with 在 (zài)	often combined (在…的时候)	very rare (在…时 is correct but formal)
Clause length	can be longer, more flexible	usually short and succinct

Ejemplos

…的时候
我吃饭的时候看手机。
Wǒ chī fàn de shí hou kàn shǒu jī.
I look at my phone while eating.
Natural spoken sentence; 时 would sound too formal here.
…时
开会时请关闭手机。
Kāi huì shí qǐng guān bì shǒu jī.
Please turn off your mobile phone during the meeting.
Formal notice; 的时候 would be less appropriate in written instructions.
…的时候
我在家的时候喜欢听音乐。
Wǒ zài jiā de shí hou xǐ huan tīng yīn yuè.
When I'm at home, I like listening to music.
Use of 在 adds informality; 在家时 is correct but formal.
…时
外出时请关灯。
Wài chū shí qǐng guān dēng.
Please turn off the lights when you go out.
Concise, common on signs.
…的时候
他出门的时候下雨了。
Tā chū mén de shí hou xià yǔ le.
It rained when he went out.
Colloquial past event.
…时
考试时不能使用手机。
Kǎo shì shí bù néng shǐ yòng shǒu jī.
You cannot use mobile phones during exams.
Formal rule; 考试的时候 would be acceptable but less formal.

Errores comunes

Using 时 in casual spoken sentences like '我来时没看到你' – sounds rigid; use 来的时候 instead.
Using 的时候 in formal writing like a news article or report – may appear too informal; prefer 时.
Thinking both are interchangeable without register change – they are not; register mismatch can sound unnatural.
Adding 在 before 时 (e.g., 在开会时) – this is grammatically correct but overly formal; native speakers avoid it in writing.

Preguntas frecuentes

When do I use …的时候 vs …时?: Use …的时候 in everyday conversation and informal writing; use …时 in formal writing, news, speeches, and official contexts. If you're unsure and the situation is neutral, …的时候 is safer in spoken Chinese.
Can I use …时 in spoken Chinese?: Yes, but it may sound overly formal or abrupt. It is common in set expressions like 平时 (usually) or 有时 (sometimes), but in full clauses (e.g., '到了时叫醒我') it can feel stiff. Stick to …的时候 for natural speech.
Is …时 always interchangeable with …的时候?: No. In meaning, both express 'when', but register is different. Also, …的时候 can mean 'while' for two simultaneous actions, whereas …时 rarely does. For example, '听音乐时做作业' is possible but less common than '听音乐的时候做作业'.
Can I use 在 with both forms?: 在 is commonly used with …的时候 (在…的时候) for a more colloquial feel. With …时, 在 is correct but very formal; it’s more often omitted (e.g., 开会时 not 在开会时). In writing, dropping 在 is standard.