～時 (toki) - when/at the time

Think of 時 as a regular noun. In Japanese, nouns can be described by words before them. This is exactly how 時 works. You put a verb or adjective right before it. This describes the "time" you are talking about. The whole phrase acts like a big time stamp. For example, "When I eat" becomes "Eat time." It sounds a bit like Yoda, right? But it is perfectly natural in Japanese. The sentence structure is very consistent. You won't need to change much once you learn the patterns. Just remember that 時 is the anchor. Everything before it just adds detail to that anchor.

1. 1Connecting words to 時 is like playing with Lego blocks. Each piece needs a specific connector. Follow these simple steps:
2. 2For Verbs, use the dictionary form or plain form. Example: 食べる + 時 (When I eat).
3. 3For I-Adjectives, just add 時 directly. Example: 忙しい + 時 (When I am busy).
4. 4For Na-Adjectives, you must keep the な. Example: 暇な + 時 (When I am free).
5. 5For Nouns, use the particle の as a bridge. Example: 子供 + の + 時 (When I was a child).
6. 6For Past Actions, use the た form. Example: 終わった + 時 (When it finished).
7. 7Yes, even native speakers forget the な or の sometimes. Just think of them as the glue. Without glue, your sentence might fall apart. Keep your dictionary forms handy for this one!

Use 時 when you want to pinpoint a specific timeframe. It works great for daily routines. "When I wake up, I drink coffee." It is perfect for sharing memories. "When I lived in Tokyo, I ate ramen daily." You can also use it for giving instructions. "When you arrive at the station, call me." It works in formal and informal settings. Use it when ordering food at a restaurant. "When the food comes, please give me a fork." Use it during job interviews to talk about experiences. "When I was a student, I studied hard." It is like a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener when the action is green-lit.

Don't use 時 for everything related to time. If you want to ask "When?", use いつ. 時 is for statements, not question words. Also, don't use it for specific clock times. For "at 3 PM," use 三時に. 時 is for general periods or situations. Avoid using it for "while" if two things happen simultaneously. For that, ながら is usually a better choice. Think of 時 as a snapshot, not a continuous video. If the time is too specific, 時 might feel a bit heavy. Keep it for situations and life stages.

The biggest trap is the "Noun + 時" combo. Many people say 学生時 instead of 学生の時. Don't skip that の! It is the bodyguard for your noun. Another mistake is using the polite ます form before 時. Always use the plain form like 飲む時. Using 飲みます時 sounds very strange to Japanese ears. It is like wearing a tuxedo to the gym. Also, watch your adjectives. きれい時 is wrong; it must be きれいな時. Na-adjectives are clingy and need their な. Finally, don't confuse 時 with 時に. Adding に makes the timing more precise. For general statements, just 時 is often enough.

How is 時 different from たら? たら is more like "if" or "once." 時 focuses on the actual time it happens. If you say 日本に行ったら, it means "If/Once I go." If you say 日本に行く時, it means "When I go." It is a subtle difference. Also, compare it with とき in hiragana. They are the same! Some people prefer kanji, some prefer hiragana. Kanji 時 looks a bit more formal. Hiragana とき feels softer and friendlier. Don't let the different looks confuse you. They perform the exact same job in your sentence.