的
de
Possessive particle; modifier particle
How to say “when” in Chinese with 的时候 (de shíhou)
⋯⋯的时候 (de shíhou)
的时候 (de shí hòu) — when
HSK 2Nouns
⋯⋯的时候 (de shíhou)
HSK 2Nouns的时候 (de shí hòu) — when
Rule structure
的时候 (de shíhou) is added to a verb phrase or time word to mean "when" or "at the time of…" It creates a time clause. The structure is VP / Time + 的时候 (de shíhou)，Main Clause.
Rule structure
的时候 (de shíhou) is added to a verb phrase or time word to mean "when" or "at the time of…" It creates a time clause. The structure is VP / Time + 的时候 (de shíhou)，Main Clause.
Examples
我吃饭的时候在看电视。
Wǒ chīfàn de shíhòu zài kàn diànshì.
When I was eating, I was watching TV.
她吃水果的时候很开心。
Tā chīshuǐguǒ de shíhòu hěn kāixīn.
When she eats fruit, she is very happy.
我回家的时候下雨了。
Wǒ huíjiā de shíhou xiàyǔ le.
When I was going home, it started to rain.
Examples
我吃饭的时候在看电视。
Wǒ chīfàn de shíhòu zài kàn diànshì.
When I was eating, I was watching TV.
她吃水果的时候很开心。
Tā chīshuǐguǒ de shíhòu hěn kāixīn.
When she eats fruit, she is very happy.
我回家的时候下雨了。
Wǒ huíjiā de shíhou xiàyǔ le.
When I was going home, it started to rain.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “when” in Chinese with 的时候?
Use the structure: ⋯⋯的时候 (de shíhou). For example: 我吃饭的时候在看电视。 — “When I was eating, I was watching TV”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我吃饭的时候在看电视。 — “When I was eating, I was watching TV”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
了 — already done
Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
一下 — verbing briefly
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)
给 — for (someone)
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase
对 — attitude toward something
Subj. + 对 (duì) + Object / Topic + Verb / Evaluative Phrase
因为 — cause and effect
因为 (yīnwèi)⋯⋯ 所以 (suǒyǐ)⋯⋯