Expressing "when" with "de shihou"

In English, if we are reflecting on a past time, we often say, "when I was a child" or "when I was in school." In Chinese, this can also be expressed by using 的时候 (de shíhou).

Structure

To talk about events that happened at or during a particular time, 的时候 (de shíhou) is often used. This is simply attached to the word or phrase indicating the time:

As time words can appear before or after the subject, you can also place the "Time + 的时候 (de shíhou)" after the subject:

Examples

你不在的时候，我会想你。
Nǐ bù zài de shíhou, wǒ huì xiǎng nǐ.
When you are not here, I'll miss you.
我上大学的时候有很多朋友。
Wǒ shàng dàxué de shíhou, yǒu hěn duō péngyou.
When I was in college, I had a lot of friends.
上课的时候不要吃东西。
Shàngkè de shíhou bùyào chī dōngxi.
Don't eat when you are in class.
老板工作的时候喜欢喝咖啡。
Lǎobǎn gōngzuò de shíhou xǐhuan hē kāfēi.
When the boss works, he likes to drink coffee.
我生气的时候，请你不要笑。
Wǒ shēngqì de shíhou, qǐng nǐ bùyào xiào.
Please don't laugh when I'm angry.
妈妈不在家的时候，我自己做饭。
Māma bù zài jiā de shíhou, wǒ zìjǐ zuòfàn.
When mom is not home, I cook for myself.
开会的时候不要聊天。
Kāihuì de shíhou bùyào liáotiān.
Don't chat when you are in a meeting.
吃东西的时候不要说话。
Chī dōngxi de shíhou bùyào shuōhuà.
Don't talk when eating.
你开车的时候会打电话吗？
Nǐ kāichē de shíhou huì dǎ diànhuà ma?
Do you talk on the phone when you're driving?
走路的时候不要玩手机。
Zǒulù de shíhou bùyào wán shǒujī.
Don't play with your phone while walking.

Expressing "when" with "de shíhou" "的时候"

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books