How to use 的时候
⋯⋯的时候
的时候 turns a preceding description into a time setting for another statement. The preceding material may be an activity, a state, or a phrase naming a period. Put the description first and 的时候 after it. The main clause then explains what happens or applies during that time.
The time setting often begins the sentence, or follows the subject when that arrangement fits the meaning. A separate subject can appear inside the time clause if necessary. This structure does not inherently describe the past: it also suits routines, warnings, and future situations. Read time words and context to locate the event. Unlike a multitasking construction, it does not require the same person to perform two deliberate actions.
Examples with pinyin and English
你不在的时候，我会想你。
When you are not here, I'll miss you.
我上大学的时候，有很多朋友。
When I was in college, I had a lot of friends.
上课的时候不要吃东西。
Don't eat when you are in class.
老板工作的时候喜欢喝咖啡。
When the boss works, he likes to drink coffee.
What to remember
- Put the time description before 的时候.
- Use it with actions or states.
- Context supplies past, habitual, or future reference.
Practise the pattern
Use one example as a model. Change the people, objects or situation, keeping the grammar pattern in the same order. Read the explanation again to check how your sentence uses the construction.
Look up the grammar words
Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.