Expressing "when" with "de shihou"

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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 (de shíhou) 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 (de shíhou) after the subject.

Examples

  • 在 家 的时候 , 我 很 开心 。 zài jiā deshíhòu, wǒ hěn kāixīn. When you are home, I'm happy.
  • 上 大学 的时候 常常 出去 玩 。 shàng dàxué deshíhòu chángcháng chūqù wán. When I was in college, I would often go out and have fun.
  • 工作 的时候 , 喜欢 喝 咖啡 。 gōngzuò deshíhòu, xǐhuan hē kāfēi. When I work, I like drink coffee.
  • 跟 朋友 一起 的时候 , 喜欢 喝 啤酒 。 gēn péngyǒu yīqǐ deshíhòu, xǐhuan hē píjiǔ. When I'm with friends, I like to drink beer.
  • 休息 的时候 , 我 喜欢 听 音乐 。 Xiūxi deshíhòu, wǒ xǐhuan tīng yīnyuè. When resting, I like to listen to music.
  • 的时候 , 我 不 喜欢 吃 肉 。 Xiǎo deshíhòu, wǒ bù xǐhuan chī ròu. When I was little, I didn't like to eat meat.
  • 很 多 人 喜欢 在 洗澡 的时候 唱歌 。 Hěn duō rén xǐhuan zài xǐzǎo deshíhòu chànggē. When showering, many people like to sing.
  • 你 不要 在 我 生气 的时候 笑 。 Nǐ bùyào zài wǒ shēngqì deshíhòu xiào. Don't laugh when I'm angry.
  • 请 不要 在 上 厕所 的时候 打 电话 。 Qǐng bùyào zài shàng cèsuǒ deshíhòu dǎ diànhuà. While using the restroom, please don't make phone calls.
  • 你 喜欢 在 看 电影 的时候 吃 东西 吗 ? Nǐ xǐhuan zài kān diànyǐng deshíhòu chī dōngxī ma? Do you like eating things while watching the movie?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books