By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The word **とき** (toki) is used to refer to a specific point in time or moment, and is often translated as “when” or “at the time of.” It is typically used with verbs or nouns to indicate the time an action takes place.
Structure:
- Verb (dictionary form) + とき (e.g., **行くとき** – when (I) go)
- Verb (て-form) + とき (e.g., **食べているとき** – when (I) am eating)
- Noun + の + とき (e.g., **学生のとき** – when I was a student)
Usage examples:
- When used with a verb, **とき** indicates the specific moment an action happens (e.g., **行くとき** – when (I) go).
- When used with a noun, it refers to a time period or event (e.g., **学生のとき** – when I was a student).
💡 Example Sentences
- 行くとき、電話をかけます。
I will make a phone call when (I) go. - 勉強しているときに音楽を聞きます。
I listen to music when (I) am studying. - 学生のとき、毎日勉強しました。
When I was a student, I studied every day. - 旅行のとき、たくさん写真を撮ります。
I take many pictures when I travel. - 寝るとき、ライトを消してください。
Please turn off the light when (you) sleep.
📝 Grammar Notes
- **とき** is used to indicate a specific time or moment when something happens, often translated as “when” or “at the time of.”
- When used with verbs, it can refer to either a general action (e.g., **食べるとき** – when (I) eat) or a continuous action (e.g., **勉強しているとき** – when (I) am studying).
- When used with nouns, it indicates the time when a person or thing experiences or is involved in a particular situation (e.g., **子供のとき** – when I was a child).
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of **とき**:
- 毎日運動する______、元気になります。
- 学生の______、アルバイトをしていました。
- 日本に行く______、たくさん食べたいです。
- 寝る______、テレビを消してください。
✔ Sample Answers:
- 毎日運動する**とき**、元気になります。
- 学生の**とき**、アルバイトをしていました。
- 日本に行く**とき**、たくさん食べたいです。
- 寝る**とき**、テレビを消してください。
2. Translate into Japanese using **とき**:
- When I study, I take notes.
- When I was a child, I liked to play outside.
- I listen to music when I go to the gym.
- When I sleep, I turn off my phone.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 勉強するとき、ノートを取ります。
- 子供のとき、外で遊ぶのが好きでした。
- ジムに行くとき、音楽を聞きます。
- 寝るとき、電話を切ります。
📚 Vocabulary List
- 勉強（べんきょう） – study
- 旅行（りょこう） – travel
- 写真（しゃしん） – photo
- 学生（がくせい） – student
- 寝る（ねる） – to sleep
🈷 Kanji List
- 学生（がくせい） – student
- 勉強（べんきょう） – study
- 寝る（ねる） – to sleep
- 写真（しゃしん） – photo
- 旅行（りょこう） – travel
🔗 Related Grammar
- ～時（とき） – Refers to time or moment when something happens. Used in various contexts to indicate the time something occurs, often with verbs or nouns.
- ～間（あいだ） – Refers to the duration of time something happens, unlike **とき**, which refers to a specific point in time.
- ～後（あと） – After (something), used to indicate a time after an event or action has taken place.
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: **とき** indicates a specific point in time or moment when something happens.
- Usage: It can be used with verbs or nouns to indicate the time when something occurs or when an action takes place.
- Level: JLPT N5
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
