Expressing "when" with "dengdao"
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Keywords
The word 等到 (děngdào) can trip up learners because while it can literally mean "wait until," it also has the less literal translation meaning "when (the time comes)" or "by the time." This is a pattern that appears in complex sentences, with 等到 acting as a conjunction and appearing in the first part as the first word in the sentence.
Structure
等(到) + Time / Event ,Subj. + 再 / 就 / 才 ⋯⋯
Examples
- 等到 大学 毕业 ,我 就 不 住 在 学校 里 了。When I graduate from college, I don't live at school.
- 等到 秋天 ,这些 树叶 就 会 变 黄 。When it is autumn, the leaves will have already become yellow.
- 等 雨 停 我 再 出门 。When the rain stops, then I will go outside.
- 等 这个 项目 结束 ,我们 部门 会 开 派对 庆祝 。When this project is finished, our department can have a party to celebrate.
- 等 你 当 了 爸爸 ,你 就 会 知道 做 父母 多么 不 容易。When you act as the father, you will become aware of how hard it is to be a parent.
See Also
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