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How to say “when the time comes” in Chinese with 到时候

到时候 (dào shíhou), Main Clause (future reference)

到时候 (dào shí hòu) — when the time comes

HSK 6Adverbs

Rule structure

到时候 (dào shíhòu) means "when the time comes, then". It refers to a specific future moment already mentioned or implied.

Examples

你先准备，到时候我叫你。

Nǐ xiān zhǔnbèi, dào shíhòu wǒ jiào nǐ.

You prepare first; when the time comes, I’ll call you.

Practice

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Characters

Words from this rule

到

dào

To arrive, to reach (resultative complement after verbs)

时候

shíhou

Time, moment

你

nǐ

You

先

xiān

First

准备

zhǔnbèi

To prepare, preparation

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “when the time comes” in Chinese with 到时候?

Use the structure: 到时候 (dào shíhou), Main Clause (future reference). For example: 你先准备，到时候我叫你。 — “You prepare first; when the time comes, I’ll call you”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

你先准备，到时候我叫你。 — “You prepare first; when the time comes, I’ll call you”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.

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More HSK 6 grammar rules

无非 — nothing but

无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)

凡是 — all, every

凡是 (fánshì) + Noun Phrase, 都 (dōu) + Verb

恢复 vs 还原 — restore vs return to original

恢复 (huīfù): restore (state, function) / 还原 (huányuán): restore to original state

居然 vs 反而 — unexpected vs on the contrary

居然 (jūrán): unexpectedly (surprise) / 反而 (fǎn'ér): on the contrary

再…也 — no matter how

再 (zài) + Adj., 也 (yě) + Result

何必 — why bother

何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)

不断 vs 不停 — continuous vs nonstop

不断 (bùduàn) + Verb (continuous, unceasing) / 不停 (bùtíng) + Verb (incessant, nonstop)

按照 vs 根据 — according to vs based on

按照 (ànzhào) + Rule / Standard (follow) / 根据 (gēnjù) + Basis / Source (based on)