Expressing "when" with "de shihou"

The simplest way to talk about events that happened during a certain time, like how in English when we say "when I was a child" or "when I was in school", is to use 的时候 (de shíhou).

Structure

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

(Subject)+ verb./adj./prep. + 的时候 + Subject + Verb + Object

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

Examples

• 你 在 家 的时候，我很开心。When you are home, I'm happy.
• 我 上 大学 的时候 常常 出去 玩。When I was in college, I would often go out and have fun.
• 我 工作 的时候，喜欢 安静。When I work, I like quiet.
• 我 跟 朋友 一起 的时候 ，喜欢 喝 啤酒。When I'm with friends, I like to drink beer.
• 休息 的时候，我 喜欢 听 音乐。When resting, I like to listen to music.
• 小 的时候，我 不 喜欢 吃 蔬菜。When I was little, I didn't like to eat vegetables
• 很 多 人 喜欢 在 洗澡 的时候 唱歌。When showering, many people like to sing.
• 你 不要 在 我 生气 的时候 笑。Don't laugh when I'm angry.
• 请 不要 在 上厕所 的时候 打电话。While using the restroom, please don't make phone calls.
• 你 喜欢 在 看 电影 的时候 吃 东西 吗？Do you like eating things while watching the movie?

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 2: Textbook (C&T Asian Language Studies) 1st edition (pp. 105) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 293-4) →buy