〜とき — When something happens | JLPT N4 grammar

Meaning

Used to indicate the time when an action happens.

とき is preceded by a modifying form — Vる / Vた / Aい / Aな / Nの
With action verbs, Vるとき usually means before or during the second event and Vたとき after the first event is done; with state verbs such as いる, Vたとき simply means 'when (it was)': 日本にいたとき

20 sentences

子どもこどものときよく川かわで遊びあそびました
When I was a child, I often played by the river.
日本にほんへ行くいくときパスポートを忘れわすれないでください
When you go to Japan, do not forget your passport.
分からわからないときは先生せんせいに聞きききます
When I do not understand, I ask the teacher.
暇ひまなときは公園こうえんを散歩さんぽします
When I have free time, I take a walk in the park.
魚さかなを焼くやくときは窓まどを開けあけます
When I grill fish, I open the window.
不安ふあんなときは深くふかく息いきをします
When I feel anxious, I breathe deeply.
家いえを出るでるとき電気でんきを消しけしてください
Please turn off the lights when you leave home.
忙しいいそがしいとき友だちともだちが手伝ってつだってくれました
A friend helped me when I was busy.

12 more examples

病気びょうきになったときこの病院びょういんへ行きいきました
I went to this hospital when I became ill.
地震じしんのときは机つくえの下したに入っはいってください
During an earthquake, please get under a desk.
朝あさ起きおきたとき窓まどを開けあけます
When I get up in the morning, I open the window.
道みちが分からわからないとき地図ちずを見みます
When I do not know the way, I look at a map.
子どもこどものときよく祖父そふの庭にわで遊びあそびました
When I was a child, I often played in my grandfather's garden.
暇ひまなとき古いふるい写真しゃしんを見みます
When I have free time, I look at old photos.
寒いさむいときこのコートを着きます
When it is cold, I wear this coat.
家いえを出るでるとき窓まどを閉めしめてください
Please close the window when you leave home.
駅えきに着いついたとき母ははに電話でんわしました
When I arrived at the station, I called my mother.
日本にほんへ行くいくとき空港くうこうで辞書じしょを買いかいました
On my way to Japan I bought a dictionary at the airport.
忙しいいそがしいときよく忘れ物わすれものをします
When I am busy, I often forget things.
学生がくせいのときはこの町まちに住んすんでいました
When I was a student, I lived in this town.

日本へ行くとき and 日本へ行ったとき differ in viewpoint; do not automatically copy the tense of the main clause.

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: 病気びょうきになったときこの病院びょういんへ行きいきました After reading this book, I will write my thoughts.I went to this hospital when I became ill.I walked to the station while looking at the map.
Sentence 2: 寒いさむいときこのコートを着きます I will write my name at reception after I carry the small luggage.I memorize words while waiting for the train.When it is cold, I wear this coat.
Sentence 3: 学生がくせいのときはこの町まちに住んすんでいました After doing my homework, I watch TV.Please do not walk while looking at your smartphone.When I was a student, I lived in this town.

The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.