Expressing "when" with "de shihou"
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Level
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Used for
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Keywords
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 的时候，我很开心。When you are around, I'm excited.
- 我 在 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 会 在 看 电影 的时候 吃 东西 吗？Can you eat things while watching the movie?
