Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Nouns and adjectives before とき
Use after nouns, adjectives, and clauses.
Start with the example
、。
When I was a child, I went to the library.
Noun + + is a very common time phrase.
Notice the variation
、。
When I have free time, I read books.
-adjectives take before .
More detail: how to apply this
means “when” or “at the time of.” Nouns usually take before , -adjectives take , and -adjectives connect directly.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Carry the entire phrase forward as the time frame for the main statement.
supplies the past action, studied. It does not say the speaker is still a student now.
、。
When I was a student, I studied in the library every day.
Carry the entire phrase forward as the time frame for the main statement.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
、。
When I was a child, I went to the library.
Noun + + is a very common time phrase.
Vocabulary notes
- 子どものとき
- when [someone] was a child
- 図書館
- library
Compare in context
、。
When I have free time, I read books.
-adjectives take before .
Vocabulary notes
- とき
- when; time
- 読む
- to read
Compare in context
、。
When I am busy, I do not cook.
-adjectives connect directly to .
Vocabulary notes
- 忙しい
- busy
- とき
- when; time
Section 2 of 4
Verb form changes the time meaning
Verb form changes the time meaning
Start with the example
、。
When I go home, I buy water.
means “when going home,” before the going-home action is complete.
Notice the variation
、。
When I got home, my mother was there.
points to the time after arriving home.
More detail: how to apply this
With verbs, the form before matters.
Dictionary form often points to a time before or during the action, while past form can point to a moment after the action is completed.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
When I go home, I buy water.
means “when going home,” before the going-home action is complete.
、。
When I go home, I buy water.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: When I go home, I buy water.
Showing Verb form changes the time meaning: Everyday words.
Target signal
、。
When I go home, I buy water.
means “when going home,” before the going-home action is complete.
Vocabulary notes
- うち
- home; our place
- 帰る
- to return; to go home
- とき
- when; time
Preview
、。
When I got home, my mother was there.
points to the time after arriving home.
Vocabulary notes
- うち
- home; our place
- とき
- when; time
Preview
、。
When I go to bed, I turn off the TV.
is a natural time phrase for routines.
Vocabulary notes
- 寝る
- to sleep; to go to bed
- とき
- when; time
- テレビ
- TV; television
Section 3 of 4
Read the whole とき phrase as one chunk
Carry the entire phrase forward as the time frame for the main statement.
Read the whole とき phrase as one chunk
、。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
frames the sentence as during the speaker’s student days. connects the noun to .
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
Do not stop after the noun or verb.
Read the whole phrase before as one unit, then move to the rest of the sentence.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
When it rains, I go by bus.
is the full time chunk here.
、。
When it rains, I go by bus.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: When it rains, I go by bus.
Showing Read the whole とき phrase as one chunk: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
、。
When it rains, I go by bus.
is the full time chunk here.
Vocabulary notes
- とき
- when; time
- バス
- bus
- 行く
- to go
Preview
、。
When I was a student, I studied in the library every day.
uses a noun phrase before .
Vocabulary notes
- とき
- when; time
- 図書館
- library
Preview
、。
When I study Japanese, I do not listen to music.
The learner should read as one chunk before the rest of the sentence.
Vocabulary notes
- 日本語
- Japanese language
- 勉強する
- to study
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Your turn · decide before revealing
Choose the correct pair before : a child / free.
More detail: what changes and why
Choose the correct pair before : a child / free.
Nouns take and -adjectives take before .
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
Nouns take and -adjectives take before .
Supported meaning: こどもの とき・ひまな とき
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.