とき

とき

noun

time, when

See also: 〜時(とき) (when (suffix)), 時(とき) (time, when (kanji))

1. time, moment, occasion

A point or period in time; an occasion.

そのときは本当(ほんとう)に嬉(うれ)しかった。

I was really happy at that time.

2. when (conjunction)

Used after verbs or adjectives to mean 'when' or 'at the time that.'

暑(あつ)いときは冷(つめ)たい飲(の)み物(もの)がおいしい。

Cold drinks taste good when it's hot.

Conjunction usage

子供(こども)のとき、よく遊(あそ)んだ。

When I was a child, I played a lot.

困(こま)ったときは相談(そうだん)してください。

Please consult me when you're in trouble.

Writing

Can be written as 時(とき) with kanji, but often written in hiragana, especially when used as a grammatical conjunction.

Common patterns

V(plain) + とき (when doing V)
V(た) + とき (after doing V / when V happened)
A(い) + とき (when A)
N + の + とき (at the time of N)

Common expressions

そのとき (at that time)
このとき (at this time)
あのとき (at that time - past)
いつのときも (always, at any time)

Similar words

とき vs. 場合(ばあい)
とき: general temporal "when"
場合(ばあい): conditional "in the case that"

Related Words

Compare: 場合(ばあい) (conditional 'in case')

general

Added 2026.2.5 11:14 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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