de shíhou: 的时候 - When, At the time of

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• Summary: Learn how to use “的时候” (de shíhou), the essential Chinese grammar structure for saying “when” or “at the time of.” This comprehensive guide explains its core meaning, usage in time clauses, and common mistakes beginners make. Master “的时候” to accurately describe when events happen and take your Mandarin fluency to the next level.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): de shíhou
• Part of Speech: Particle / Conjunction Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A grammatical structure attached to a clause to mean “when” or “at the time of” that event.
• In a Nutshell: “的时候” is one of the most fundamental building blocks in Chinese for talking about time. Think of it as a time anchor. You attach it to an action, a state, or an event (e.g., “when I eat,” “when I was young,” “when it rains”) to create a time frame for another action. It’s the primary way to form a time clause in a statement.

• 的 (de): A very common grammatical particle. Here it functions as a subordinator, linking the preceding clause (the “when” part) to the phrase “time.”
• 时 (shí): This character means “time,” “period,” or “hour.” It is composed of 日 (rì), the sun, and 寺 (sì), which provides the sound. Think of it as marking time by the sun.
• 候 (hòu): This character means “to wait” or “a specific time/season.” It's made of the person radical 亻(rén) on the left.
• Combined Meaning: The characters `时 (shí)` and `候 (hòu)` join to form `时候 (shíhou)`, meaning “time” or “a moment.” Adding `的 (de)` turns the entire phrase before it into a descriptor for that “moment.” So, `我吃饭 (wǒ chīfàn)` means “I eat,” and `我吃饭的时候 (wǒ chīfàn de shíhou)` literally means “the moment of me eating,” which we translate as “when I eat.”

While “的时候” is a grammatical tool, its usage highlights a key feature of Chinese sentence structure: context first, subject later. In English, it's common to say, “I listen to music when I study.” The main action (“I listen to music”) comes first. In Chinese, the structure is reversed: `我学习的时候，听音乐 (Wǒ xuéxí de shíhou, tīng yīnyuè)`. The “when” clause, which provides the context or time frame, must come first. This “big-to-small” or “general-to-specific” pattern is deeply ingrained in Chinese. You see it in addresses (Country, Province, City, Street), dates (Year, Month, Day), and names (Family Name, Given Name). Learning to use “的时候” correctly is not just about grammar; it's about learning to structure your thoughts in a more natural, Chinese way by setting the scene before describing the main event.

“的时候” is used constantly in all forms of communication, from casual conversation with friends to formal business meetings and written articles. It's a neutral and versatile structure. Here are the most common patterns:

• Verb Phrase + 的时候
  • Used to describe when an action is happening.
  • Example: `吃饭的时候不要说话。(Chīfàn de shíhou bùyào shuōhuà.)` - Don't talk when eating.
• Adjective + 的时候
  • Used to describe when a certain state or feeling is being experienced.
  • Example: `不开心的时候，我会给朋友打电话。(Bù kāixīn de shíhou, wǒ huì gěi péngyǒu dǎ diànhuà.)` - When I'm unhappy, I will call a friend.
• Full Clause (Subject + Verb) + 的时候
  • The most complete and common form.
  • Example: `我小的时候，住在北京。(Wǒ xiǎo de shíhou, zhù zài Běijīng.)` - When I was little, I lived in Beijing.

• Example 1:
  • 我看书的时候，喜欢听音乐。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kàn shū de shíhou, xǐhuān tīng yīnyuè.
  • English: When I read books, I like to listen to music.
  • Analysis: This shows the classic sentence pattern. The time clause `我看书的时候` (When I read) comes before the main clause `喜欢听音乐` (like to listen to music).
• Example 2:
  • 下雨的时候，我喜欢待在家里。
  • Pinyin: Xià yǔ de shíhou, wǒ xǐhuān dāi zài jiālǐ.
  • English: When it rains, I like to stay at home.
  • Analysis: Here, the “when” clause is simply a verb phrase `下雨` (to rain). This is a very common and natural way to express this idea.
• Example 3:
  • 你不在的时候，你的狗很难过。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùzài de shíhou, nǐ de gǒu hěn nánguò.
  • English: When you are not here, your dog is very sad.
  • Analysis: This example shows how `的时候` can be used with a state of being (`不在` - to not be present), not just an active verb.
• Example 4:
  • 我到中国的时候，一句中文都不会说。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ dào Zhōngguó de shíhou, yījù Zhōngwén dōu bù huì shuō.
  • English: When I arrived in China, I couldn't speak a single sentence of Chinese.
  • Analysis: A perfect example for talking about a specific point in the past.
• Example 5:
  • 妈妈做饭的时候，我帮她洗菜。
  • Pinyin: Māma zuò fàn de shíhou, wǒ bāng tā xǐcài.
  • English: When my mom is cooking, I help her wash the vegetables.
  • Analysis: This illustrates two actions happening concurrently. The helping happens *during* the cooking.
• Example 6:
  • 累的时候，最好休息一下。
  • Pinyin: Lèi de shíhou, zuì hǎo xiūxí yīxià.
  • English: When you are tired, it's best to rest for a bit.
  • Analysis: Here, `的时候` follows an adjective (`累` - tired), describing a state or feeling.
• Example 7:
  • 小的时候，我有很多梦想。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo de shíhou, wǒ yǒu hěnduō mèngxiǎng.
  • English: When I was little, I had many dreams.
  • Analysis: `小时候 (xiǎo shíhou)` is a very common fixed phrase. You don't need to say `我小的时候 (wǒ xiǎo de shíhou)` if the context makes it clear who you're talking about.
• Example 8:
  • 开会的时候，请把手机调成静音。
  • Pinyin: Kāihuì de shíhou, qǐng bǎ shǒujī tiáo chéng jìngyīn.
  • English: When you are in a meeting, please set your phone to silent mode.
  • Analysis: A practical example you might see on a sign or hear in a professional setting.
• Example 9:
  • 遇到问题的时候，不要害怕。
  • Pinyin: Yùdào wèntí de shíhou, bùyào hàipà.
  • English: When you encounter a problem, don't be afraid.
  • Analysis: This is a great example of giving advice or instructions based on a conditional situation.
• Example 10:
  • 明天你来的时候，给我打电话。
  • Pinyin: Míngtiān nǐ lái de shíhou, gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
  • English: When you come tomorrow, give me a call.
  • Analysis: This shows that `的时候` can be used for future events, not just past or present ones.

• Mistake 1: Confusing `的时候` (when…) with `什么时候` (when?)
  • This is the single most common mistake for beginners.
  • `的时候 (de shíhou)` is used in a statement to set a time frame.
  • `什么时候 (shénme shíhou)` is a question word used to ask “at what time?” or “when?”.
  • * Correct: 你什么时候来？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?) - When are you coming? (Question)
  • * Correct: 你来的时候，告诉我。 (Nǐ lái de shíhou, gàosù wǒ.) - When you come, tell me. (Statement)
  • * Incorrect: ~~你的时候来？~~
• Mistake 2: Confusing `的时候` (during) with `以后` (after)
  • `的时候` implies that two actions are happening at the same time (concurrently).
  • `以后 (yǐhòu)` means “after,” indicating one action follows another.
  • * Example: `下课的时候，老师回答了我的问题。` (Xiàkè de shíhou, lǎoshī huídále wǒ de wèntí.) - As class was ending, the teacher answered my question. (Happened at the same time)
  • * Example: `下课以后，我去找老师问问题。` (Xiàkè yǐhòu, wǒ qù zhǎo lǎoshī wèn wèntí.) - After class ended, I went to find the teacher to ask a question. (Happened sequentially)
• Mistake 3: Incorrect Sentence Placement
  • English speakers are tempted to put the `…的时候` clause at the end of the sentence, like in English. Remember the “context first” rule.
  • * Correct: `我吃饭的时候，接了一个电话。` (Wǒ chīfàn de shíhou, jiēle yīgè diànhuà.)
  • * Incorrect (Unnatural): ~~我接了一个电话，吃饭的时候。~~

• * 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) - The question word “when?”. The most important distinction to learn.
• * 以后 (yǐhòu) - Means “after” or “in the future.” Used for actions that happen sequentially, not concurrently.
• * 以前 (yǐqián) - Means “before” or “in the past.”
• * 当...的时候 (dāng… de shíhou) - A slightly more formal or emphatic way to say “when.” Often used in writing to add emphasis. Example: `当我想家的时候…` (When I miss home…).
• * 时 (shí) - A very common, more formal, and shorter way to say `的时候` in writing. It attaches directly to a verb. Example: `毕业时 (bìyè shí)` means “at the time of graduation.”
• * 之后 (zhīhòu) - A synonym for `以后`, often considered slightly more formal.
• * 之前 (zhīqián) - A synonym for `以前`, often considered slightly more formal.
• * 当时 (dāngshí) - Means “at that time” or “back then,” referring to a specific moment in the past that has already been mentioned.