Time Expression: 的时候 (de shíhou) - When

Think of 的时候 as a time container. In English, "when" is a leader. It stands at the front of the line. In Chinese, 的时候 is more like a caboose on a train. It sits at the very end of the time phrase. First, you pick an event. For example, 我睡觉 (I sleep). Then, you glue 的时候 to the end of it. Now you have 我睡觉的时候. This means "When I sleep." It is that simple. You are essentially saying, "The time of me sleeping." The main sentence then follows this time phrase. For example: 我睡觉的时候，不喝咖啡. (When I sleep, I don't drink coffee). It creates a clear structure. You establish the background first. Then you deliver the news. It is a very logical way to build a sentence.

1. 1Creating this structure is like building a sandwich. Follow these three easy steps:
2. 2Start with your subject and action. Example: 我看电影 (I watch a movie).
3. 3Add 的时候 immediately after the action. Example: 我看电影的时候 (When I watch a movie).
4. 4Add the rest of your sentence after a comma. Example: 我看电影的时候，喜欢吃爆米花 (When I watch a movie, I like to eat popcorn).
5. 5You can also use it with simple time words or ages. If you want to say "When I was ten years old," you just say 我十岁的时候. You don't need a verb every time. Just place 的时候 after the period of time or the situation you are describing. It is like a grammar sticker. You just peel it off and stick it on the end of any event.

You will use 的时候 in almost every conversation. It is perfect for describing habits. Use it when ordering food: 我点菜的时候，不要肉. (When I order, I don't want meat). It is essential for sharing memories. Use it when talking about travel: 我在上海的时候，天气很好. (When I was in Shanghai, the weather was great). You can also use it for future plans. Use it in a job interview: 我工作的时候，非常努力. (When I work, I am very hardworking). It works for specific moments too. "When the phone rang" or "When the bus arrived." If you are describing a state of being, like "When I am tired," it works perfectly. Just say 我累的时候. It covers the past, the present, and the future.

This is where many people get tripped up. Do not use 的时候 to ask a question. If you want to ask "When are we leaving?", 的时候 is the wrong tool. It is like trying to use a spoon to cut a steak. For questions, you must use 什么时候. 的时候 is strictly for making statements. It provides information rather than seeking it. Also, avoid using it for a single point in time that doesn't have an action. You wouldn't say "Monday 的时候." You just say "Monday." It needs a context or a duration to feel natural. Use it for periods, actions, or ages. Don't use it for a simple clock time like "Two o'clock 的时候."

The biggest mistake is the "English Brain" error. You might want to put it at the start. You might say 的时候我吃饭. This sounds very strange to a native speaker. It is like wearing your shoes on your hands. Always put the action first! Another common slip-up is forgetting the 的. Some people just say 时候. While 时 is used in formal writing, for daily speech, 的时候 is the standard. Don't be lazy with that 的. Lastly, don't mix up the subject position. Usually, the subject comes before the action. 妈妈做饭的时候 (When mom cooks). Don't leave the subject out if it is different from the main sentence subject. Clarity is key. Even native speakers might skip a subject if it's obvious, but as you learn, keep it in there to stay safe.

You might have heard of 以后 (after) or 以前 (before). These follow the same word order as 的时候. You put them at the end of the phrase. 吃饭以后 means "After eating." 吃饭以前 means "Before eating." Think of these three as a family of time markers. 的时候 is the middle child. It means "during" or "at the time of." Another contrast is with 什么时候. As we mentioned, 什么时候 is for questions. 的时候 is for answers or descriptions. Finally, there is the formal version: ...时. You will see this in newspapers or books. It is just a shorter, fancier version of 的时候. For now, stick to the full version. It sounds much more natural in a coffee shop or a classroom.