Learn Japanese: How to Say When in Japanese

Are you interested in learning Japanese? One essential word you need to know is “when.” Knowing how to express “when” in Japanese will help you communicate effectively and understand time-related conversations. In this article, we will guide you on how to say “when” in Japanese and provide you with all the necessary information to master this important word. Let’s get started!

When it comes to saying “when” in Japanese, the word you need to know is とき (時). This word functions similarly to “when” in English, creating time clauses to indicate the timing of an event or action. In Japanese grammar, the tense used in the time clause may not always match the overall tense of the sentence, as it depends on the speaker’s perspective or viewpoint.

Pronouncing “とき” is relatively straightforward. It is pronounced as “toh-kee,” with a short “o” sound. An equivalent word or phrase for “when” in Japanese can be “いつ (itsu),” which specifically asks about specific timings or events. However, “とき” is more commonly used to express general timing.

When writing “とき” in kanji, it is written as “時.” Kanji is a system of characters borrowed from Chinese and used in Japanese writing. Learning kanji will help you comprehend and communicate more effectively in various contexts.

Understanding the contextual and cultural usage of the word “when” in Japanese is essential. In Japanese culture, punctuality is highly valued. It is considered polite to arrive on time for appointments and meetings. Therefore, accurately expressing “when” in Japanese will help you navigate social situations and uphold cultural norms.

For example, you can use the phrase “仕事の時 (shigoto no toki)” to say “when I am working” or “春の時 (haru no toki)” to say “when it is spring.” These examples demonstrate how the word “とき” can be combined with different nouns to specify the timing of various events or actions.

Now that you understand the meaning, grammar, pronunciation, kanji writing, and contextual usage of the word “when” in Japanese, you are well-equipped to confidently use this word in your conversations. Practice using “とき” in various contexts, and you will soon become proficient in expressing “when” in Japanese.

The Basics

In Japanese, the word for “when” is とき (時). It functions similar to “when” in English and is used to create time clauses, indicating the timing of an event or action. The tense used in the time clause may not always match the overall tense of the sentence, as it depends on the speaker’s perspective or viewpoint. The word とき is a noun and can be combined with different particles to indicate specific meanings.

To express “when” in Japanese, the key word you need to know is とき (時), which means “time”. It is used to create time clauses that specify when something happened, happens, or will happen. In a sentence, とき typically follows the other word or sentence it relates to, similar to how “when” is used in English. However, since とき is a noun, it can also take particles after it, just like other nouns in Japanese. This basic understanding of とき is essential for accurately expressing “when” in Japanese.

Here is a table summarizing the basic usage of とき:

By combining とき with these particles, you can add more specific meanings and nuances to your time clauses in Japanese.

Tense Used in 〜とき

When expressing “when” in Japanese using とき, it’s important to understand the tense usage in the time clause. The tense used in the time clause may not always match the overall tense of the sentence and depends on the speaker’s perspective or viewpoint of the moment being described.

For example, even when talking about past events, the present tense can be used in the time clause if the speaker’s perspective is in the past. Similarly, the future tense can be used in the time clause to talk about hypothetical or expected events.

This difference in tense usage between English and Japanese requires understanding and flexibility. Let’s take a closer look at the tense usage with とき in Japanese:

Matching tenses in Japanese

In English, it is common to use the same tense in the time clause and the main clause. However, in Japanese, the tense in the time clause can vary depending on the speaker’s perspective.

For example:

In the first example, the speaker’s perspective is in the past, so the past tense is used in the time clause. In the second example, the speaker’s perspective is in the present or future, so the present tense is used in the time clause. In the third example, the speaker’s perspective is in the future, so the present tense is used in the time clause.

Time clause tense in Japanese

When using とき in Japanese, it’s essential to consider the speaker’s perspective and choose the appropriate tense in the time clause. The tense used in the time clause can convey different nuances and reflect the speaker’s viewpoint of the moment being described.

Here are some examples:

In these examples, the tense in the time clause reflects the speaker’s perspective. In the first example, the speaker’s perspective is at the moment of studying, so the present tense is used. In the second example, the speaker’s perspective is at the moment of raining, so the present tense is used. In the third example, the speaker’s perspective is at the moment of the listener seeing her, so the present tense is used.

Patterns of Use

When using the word とき (時) in Japanese, there are various patterns and combinations that can be formed to convey specific meanings related to “when”. These patterns involve different word types, such as verbs, adjectives, and nouns, allowing for versatility and accuracy in expressing timing. Understanding these patterns is crucial for effectively communicating in Japanese.

Verb + とき

One common pattern is combining a verb with とき. This creates a time clause that specifies when an action or event occurs. For example:

The verb in these examples can be changed to match the desired action or event. This pattern allows for clear and concise expression of “when” in relation to specific actions or events.

い-adjective + とき

Another pattern involves combining an い-adjective with とき. This indicates the timing of certain states or qualities. For example:

These examples demonstrate how the adjective can be changed to describe different states or qualities. By combining an adjective with とき, you can specify the timing of certain conditions or experiences.

な-adjective + とき

In a similar fashion, a な-adjective can be combined with とき to express the timing of certain states or qualities. For example:

By using different な-adjectives with とき, you can specify the timing of various states or qualities in a sentence.

Noun + とき

Furthermore, nouns can be combined with とき to indicate when a particular event or action occurred. This allows for the precise specification of timing in relation to specific nouns. For example:

In these examples, different nouns are used to indicate specific moments or periods. By combining nouns with とき, you can provide precise information about when an event or action took place.

Combinations with とき

Understanding the different patterns of use with とき allows for even greater versatility in expressing “when” in Japanese. These combinations can involve particles or additional words to add specific meanings, emphasizing time relationships or providing more nuanced expressions. Exploring these combinations enhances your ability to accurately communicate timing in Japanese.

〜とき and Different Particles

When using the Japanese word とき to indicate “when,” it can be combined with various particles to add more specific meanings to time clauses. Understanding these combinations allows for more nuanced expression of “when” in Japanese. Here are some common combinations of とき and particles:

ときに (toki ni)

The particle に can be attached to とき to indicate when a certain event or action occurs. This combination is similar to the English phrase “when (something happens).” For example:

彼女と会うときに、プレゼントを持っていきます。

When I meet her, I will bring a gift.

ときは (toki wa)

The particle は can be used with とき to emphasize the timing of an event or action in comparison to other times. This combination is similar to the English phrase “when it comes to (something).” For example:

試合ときは、緊張します。

When it comes to the game, I get nervous.

ときも (toki mo)

The particle も can be attached to とき to indicate that something continues to happen even at a particular time. This combination is similar to the English phrase “even when (something happens).” For example:

雨が降りときも、彼は走ります。

Even when it’s raining, he still runs.

ときから and ときまで (toki kara and toki made)

The particles から and まで can be used with とき to indicate the starting and ending points of a time period. ときから is similar to “from the time when (something happens),” and ときまで is similar to “until the time when (something happens).” For example:

朝から晩まで勉強していました。

I studied from morning until evening.

ときが (toki ga)

The particle が can be attached to とき to highlight the significance or occurrence of a particular time. This combination is similar to the English phrase “when (something happens).” For example:

初めて会ったときが、彼に惹かれました。

I was attracted to him when we first met.

By combining とき with different particles, you can express specific meanings related to timing and make your Japanese conversations more precise and sophisticated.

Beyond The Basics

Now that you have a basic understanding of using とき (時) to express “when” in Japanese, let’s explore some advanced usage and concepts.

One advanced usage is combining 〜ている with 〜とき to describe ongoing or continuous actions or events at a specific time. The 〜ている form conveys a sense of simultaneous occurrence or the state of being at a particular time. For example, you can say “食事をしているとき” (shokuji wo shiteiru toki) to mean “when I am eating.”

When expressing time clauses with とき, it is important to consider objective viewpoints. The perspective of the speaker affects the tense used. For example, even when talking about past events, the present tense can be used in the time clause if the speaker’s perspective is in the past. This flexibility allows for more nuanced and accurate communication in Japanese.

To master these advanced usages of とき, practice incorporating them into your conversations and written expressions. Pay attention to the objective viewpoints and ensure that your tense usage aligns with the intended meaning.

By going beyond the basics and exploring these advanced concepts, you can enhance your proficiency in expressing “when” in Japanese and communicate more precisely and comprehensively.

Examples:

How to Ask Fundamental Questions in Japanese

In addition to expressing “when,” it is essential to understand how to ask other fundamental questions in Japanese. Here are some key question words and phrases to help you navigate conversations:

The word 誰 (だれ) is used to ask about a specific person or a group of people. For example:

誰が来ましたか？ (Who came?)

何 (なに/なん) is commonly used to ask about things, situations, or actions. For example:

何をしていますか？ (What are you doing?)

Where is expressed using the word どこ. It can be used to ask about locations or origins, like:

旅行でどこへ行きたいですか？ (Where do you want to go for a trip?)

“Why” can be expressed with different words in Japanese, such as なぜ (naze) and どうして (doushite). For example:

Mastering these fundamental question words enhances your overall communication skills in Japanese and allows you to have more engaging and meaningful conversations. Familiarize yourself with these words and phrases to confidently ask questions in various contexts.

How to use “When” いつ 何時 in Japanese

In addition to the word とき (時), there are other words in Japanese that can be used to express “when” and “what time.” One of these words is いつ, which specifically means “when.” It is used to ask about specific timings or events. For example, you can ask “いつ映画を見に行きますか？” (When will you go to see a movie?). Understanding how to use いつ allows you to inquire about specific timings or events in Japanese.

Another word that is commonly used to ask about the time of an event is 何時 (nanji). This word specifically refers to the hour or time when something starts or finishes. For example, you can ask “何時に会議が始まりますか？” (What time does the meeting start?). Mastering the usage of 何時 enables you to ask about specific times in Japanese.

By familiarizing yourself with these words, いつ and 何時, you can express “when” and “what time” more accurately in Japanese. Whether you want to inquire about specific timings or ask about the start or finish time of an event, these words will be essential in your Japanese language journey. Remember to use いつ to ask about general timings or events and 何時 to ask about the specific hour or time.