JLPT N4 reference · Clauses and connections
When with とき
とき locates the main event relative to a situation, and the subordinate tense can distinguish before from after.
Core meaning and form
Put a plain-form clause before とき; nouns use のとき and な-adjectives use なとき. 行くとき means on the way/before going; 行ったとき means when one went or after arrival.
- Form: Put a plain-form clause before とき; nouns use のとき and な-adjectives use なとき.
- Core use: とき locates the main event relative to a situation, and the subordinate tense can distinguish before from after.
- Context: 行くとき means on the way/before going; 行ったとき means when one went or after arrival.
Examples in context
日本へ行くとき、カメラを買いました。Nihon e iku toki, kamera o kaimashita.I bought a camera before going to Japan.
日本へ行ったとき、京都を見ました。Nihon e itta toki, Kyōto o mimashita.When I went to Japan, I saw Kyoto.
子どものとき、よく泳ぎました。Kodomo no toki, yoku oyogimashita.I often swam when I was a child.
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Put a plain-form clause before とき; nouns use のとき and な-adjectives use なとき.
- とき locates the main event relative to a situation, and the subordinate tense can distinguish before from after.
- 行くとき means on the way/before going; 行ったとき means when one went or after arrival.