的时候 (when)

• Pinyin: de shíhou
• Formation: Verb / Adj. / Time Expression + 的时候，Main Clause
• Hanzi breakdown: 时 = 日 (sun) + 寸 (inch); 候 = 亻(person) + 侯 (marquis)

Meaning

的时候 (de shíhou) is placed after a verb, adjective, or time expression to mean 'when' or 'at the time of.' It sets the temporal context for the main action described in the following clause.

的时候 is the primary way to express 'when' in Mandarin when describing the timing of one event relative to another. It attaches to verbs, adjectives, or short clauses that describe a situation or condition. For example, 吃饭的时候 means 'when eating' and 小的时候 means 'when (I was) little.' Unlike English 'when,' which begins the clause, 的时候 comes at the end of the time-setting phrase. Note that specific time expressions like 昨天 or 三点 do not need 的时候 — they already function as time adverbs on their own. Additionally, 的 should not be omitted before 时候 in standard Mandarin, though very casual speech occasionally drops it.

Examples

1. 吃饭的时候不要看手机。 Don't look at your phone when eating.
2. 我小的时候特别喜欢画画。 When I was little, I especially loved drawing.
3. 下雨的时候路上的车很多。 When it rains, there are a lot of cars on the road.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 上课的时候请把手机调成静音。
• 我来北京的时候还不会说中文。
• 睡觉的时候最好不要开灯。
• 他做饭的时候总是一边唱歌。

Don't Say

• 我吃饭时候不看电视。(的 cannot be omitted before 时候 in standard Mandarin — say 吃饭的时候) → 我吃饭的时候不看电视。
• 的时候他来了我不在家。(的时候 must follow the event clause, not start the sentence — say 他来的时候我不在家) → 他来的时候我不在家。
• 昨天晚上的时候我在看书。(Specific time expressions like 昨天晚上 do not need 的时候 — just say 昨天晚上我在看书) → 昨天晚上我在看书。

Origin & History

的时候 combines the structural particle 的 with 时候 (time/moment). This construction has been used since classical Chinese to mark temporal clauses, though the modern form with 的 became standard in vernacular Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal