Expressing "when" with "de shihou"

In English, if we are reflecting on a past time, we often say, "when I was a child" or "when I was in school." In Chinese, this can also be expressed by using 的时候 (de shíhou).

Structure

To talk about events that happened at or during a particular time, 的时候 (de shíhou) is often used. This is simply attached to the word or phrase indicating the time:

(Subj.) + Verb / Adj. + 的 时候， Subj. + Verb + Obj.

As time words can appear before or after the subject, you can also place the Time + 的时候 (de shíhou) after the subject.

Examples

• 你 不 在 的时候 ， 我 会 想 你。 Nǐ bù zài de shíhou, wǒ huì xiǎng nǐ. When you are not here, I'll miss you.
• 我 上 大学 的时候 有 很 多 女朋友。 Wǒ shàng dàxué de shíhou yǒu hěn duō nǚpéngyou. When I was in college, I had many girlfriends.
• 小 的时候 ， 我 不 喜欢 吃 肉。 Xiǎo de shíhou, wǒ bù xǐhuan chī ròu. When I was little, I didn't like to eat meat.
• 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.
• 我 生气 的时候 请 你 不要 笑。 Wǒ shēngqì de shíhou qǐng nǐ bùyào xiào. Don't laugh when I'm angry.
• 妈妈 不在家 的时候，我 自己 做 饭。Māma bù zài jiā de shíhou, wǒ zìjǐ zuòfàn. When mom is not home, I cook by myself.
• 下课 的时候 ，我们 常常 在一起 聊天。Xiàkè de shíhou, wǒmen chángcháng yīqǐ liáotiān. We often talk together during classes.
• 吃 东西 的时候 不要 说话。Chī dōngxi de shíhou bùyào shuōhuà. Don't talk while eating.
• 你 觉得 开车 的时候 可以 打 电话 吗？Nǐ juéde kāichē de shíhou kěyǐ dǎ diànhuà ma? Do you think you can talk on the phone while driving?
• 走路 的时候 不要 玩手机。 Zǒulù de shíhou bùyào wán shǒujī. Don't play with your phone while walking.

See also

• Before a specific time
• In the future in general
• Comparing "yihou" and "de shihou"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 24-5) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 293-4) →buy