JLPT N4 Neutral

Verb た ときに

Express an action or event that occurred at a specific time in the past; 'when', 'at the time'.

Past-tense form of とき - not a different register, just a different verb tense.

Formation

Explanation

The たときに grammar point is used to express an action that happened at a specific time in the past, usually with a focus on a specific event or moment. It can be translated as 'when' or 'at the time' in English. This grammar point requires a verb in its た-form followed by ときに to indicate the time at which the action occurred.

Example sentences

  • When I watched the movie, I cried.

    Eiga wo mita toki ni, nakimashita.

  • When I first met him, he was late.

    Kare ni hajimete atta toki ni, chikoku shite imashita.

  • When I went to Japan, I took a lot of photos.

    Nihon e itta toki ni, takusan no shashin wo torimashita.

  • When my friend came to my house, we played games.

    Tomodachi ga ie ni kita toki ni, geemu wo shimashita.

Temporal When (Verb Tense Variants)