NounsHSK 3
Expressing "when" with 的时候
The pattern 的时候 (de shíhou) attaches to a word or phrase indicating an event or time, creating a 'when...' clause. It can follow a verb, adjective, or time word, and the time clause usually comes before the main clause. Be careful: the subject may appear before or after the time phrase, but 的时候 itself is always placed after the time expression.
Structure
Subj. (optional) + Verb / Adj. + 的 时候, ...
Time Word + 的 时候, ...
Examples
- 我上大学的时候，有很多朋友。Wǒ shàng dàxué de shíhou , yǒu hěn duō péngyou.When I was in college, I had a lot of friends.
- 上课的时候不要吃东西。Shàngkè de shíhou bùyào chī dōngxi.Don't eat when you are in class.
- 老板工作的时候喜欢喝咖啡。Lǎobǎn gōngzuò de shíhou xǐhuan hē kāfēi.When the boss works, he likes to drink coffee.
- 开会的时候不要聊天。Kāihuì de shíhou bùyào liáotiān.Don't chat when you are in a meeting.
- 你开车的时候会打电话吗？Nǐ kāichē de shíhou huì dǎ diànhuà ma?Do you talk on the phone when you're driving?