1.
time, moment
A point or period in time.
時が経つのは早いですね。
Time passes quickly, doesn't it?
その時を待っています。
I'm waiting for that moment.
時には休むことも大切です。
Sometimes it's important to rest.
あの時は楽しかった。
That time was fun.
今が一番いい時です。
Now is the best time.
2.
when, at the time of
Used to indicate when something happens.
子供の時、よく遊んだ。
When I was a child, I played a lot.
困った時は言ってください。
Please tell me when you're in trouble.
食べる時は静かにして。
Be quiet when eating.
日本に行った時、京都を訪れました。
When I went to Japan, I visited Kyoto.
暑い時は水をたくさん飲んでください。
Please drink lots of water when it's hot.
3.
occasion, case
A particular situation or circumstance.
そういう時は我慢しない方がいい。
In such a case, it's better not to hold back.
必要な時に連絡します。
I'll contact you when necessary.
こんな時に何を言ったらいいか分からない。
I don't know what to say in a situation like this.
地震の時は机の下に隠れてください。
In case of an earthquake, hide under a desk.
緊急の時はこの番号に電話してください。
In case of emergency, call this number.
時 is one of the most fundamental words in Japanese, used both as a noun meaning "time" and as a grammatical structure meaning "when."
GRAMMAR (when ~):
- Verb (plain form) + 時: 食べる時 (when eating)
- Noun + の + 時: 子供の時 (when I was a child)
- い-adjective + 時: 暑い時 (when it's hot)
- な-adjective + な + 時: 暇な時 (when free)
TENSE IN とき CLAUSES:
- Past tense before 時 indicates the action is completed before the main clause: 日本に行った時 (when I went/had gone to Japan)
- Non-past before 時 indicates the action is not yet completed: 日本に行く時 (when I go/before going to Japan)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- その時: at that time
- あの時: back then
- 時には: sometimes
- いい時に: at a good time
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 時間: time (duration or clock time)
- 時期: period, season
- 時代: era, age