Complex Sentence PatternsHSK 4

Expressing "when" with 等到

Use 等 or 等到 to mark a future time or event that must happen before the main action. In the main clause, 再 shows the action will only take place after that condition is met, while 就 signals a natural or immediate consequence.

Structure

等(到) + Time / Event ，Subj. + 再 / 就 + Predicate
再 indicates the action will only happen after the condition; 就 implies a natural or immediate consequence.

Examples

  • 等到老板知道就麻烦了。
    Děng dào lǎo bǎn zhī dào jiù má fan le.
    When the boss finds out, we'll be in trouble.
  • 等雨停了我再出门。
    Děng yǔ tíng le wǒ zài chū mén.
    When the rain stops, I'll go outside.
  • 等到秋天，这些树叶就会变黄。
    Děng dào qiū tiān, zhè xiē shù yè jiù huì biàn huáng.
    When autumn arrives, these leaves will turn yellow.
  • 等做完这个项目，我就休假。
    Děng zuò wán zhè ge xiàng mù, wǒ jiù xiū jià.
    I will take a vacation when I finish this project.
  • 等到老板签了字，我再做安排。
    Děng dào lǎo bǎn qiān le zì, wǒ zài zuò ān pái.
    I will make arrangements once the boss signs off on it.

Words that use this