JLPT N5Construction

Furigana

ときWhen; at the time of

Use とき after a plain clause, adjective, or noun phrase to set the time frame for the main sentence: “when,” “while,” or “at the time of.” The form before it can show whether the framing action is not yet complete, already complete, or ongoing.

The form shows relative timing

When both parts describe actions, the verb form before とき usually shows how the first action relates to the main action. A nonpast form normally places the main action before the framing action is complete; a past form places it after completion.

Before and after completion

Compare the same motion verb in these two future plans.

来らい月げつ、大おお阪さかへ行いくとき、東とう京きょう駅えきで弁べん当とうを買かいます。

Next month, when I go to Osaka, I’ll buy a boxed lunch at Tokyo Station.

Buying the lunch happens before the trip to Osaka is complete.

来らい月げつ、大おお阪さかへ行いったとき、新あたらしい支し店てんを見けん学がくします。

Next month, when I have gone to Osaka, I’ll visit the new branch.

The visit happens after going to Osaka is complete. Although the form before とき is past, the whole sentence refers to the future.

An action in progress

料りょう理りをしているとき、電でん話わが鳴なりました。

The phone rang while I was cooking.

Use an ongoing form when the main event occurs during the activity.

Nouns and adjectives

With a noun, add の. With a na-adjective, add な. An i-adjective attaches directly. These expressions describe the time or situation in which the main statement applies.

Different kinds of time frames

子こ供どものとき、京きょう都とに住すんでいました。

When I was a child, I lived in Kyoto.

寒さむいときは、温あたたかいお茶ちゃを飲のみます。

When it is cold, I drink hot tea.

暇ひまなときは、図と書しょ館かんへ行いきます。

When I have free time, I go to the library.

困こまったときに、この番ばん号ごうに電でん話わしてください。

When you need help, please call this number.

Here に marks the occasion for the call more specifically.

A broad time frame or the exact middle?

とき gives a broad time frame and may refer to an occasion, stage, or period. By contrast, 最さい中ちゅうに emphasizes that something happens right in the middle of an activity.

会かい議ぎの最さい中ちゅうに、火か災さい報ほう知ち器きが鳴なりました。

The fire alarm went off right in the middle of the meeting.

This specifically highlights the interruption during the meeting, rather than merely identifying the meeting as a general time frame.

More examples

朝あさ起おきたとき、窓まどを開あけます。

When I wake up in the morning, I open the window.

寝ねるとき、電でん気きを消けしてください。

Please turn off the light when you go to bed.

電でん車しゃを待まっているとき、友とも達だちからメッセージが来きました。

While I was waiting for the train, a message came from a friend.

学がく生せいのとき、毎まい日にち自じ転てん車しゃで学がっ校こうへ行いきました。

When I was a student, I went to school by bicycle every day.

出でかけないときは、家いえで映えい画がを見みます。

When I do not go out, I watch movies at home.

部屋へやが静しずかなとき、ここで本ほんを読よみます。

When the room is quiet, I read here.

体たい調ちょうがよくないときは、無む理りをしないでください。

When you are not feeling well, please do not push yourself.