‘When, while, during’ with …的时候
Let’s talk about constructions which are used to show that one action happened during another action.
The pattern …的时候
的时候 
is placed after an event, a period of time, or an action, during which another action was happening.
is placed after an event, a period of time, or an action, during which another action was happening.Examples
运动的时候听音乐
to listen to music while exercising
yùndòng de shíhou tīng yīnyuè
This construction can be used regardless of the tense: past, present or future. It’s most often used in colloquial speech.
If a period of time or an event goes first, the subject can be placed either at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb.
Scheme
(subject)
when
event/period of time
的时候
subject
verb
Pay attention
的时候 can be shortened to 时.
Examples
我小的时候不喜欢喝汤
I didn't like eating soup when I was a child
wǒ xiǎo de shíhòu bù xǐhuan hē tāng
世界杯时很多外国人来我们城市了
A lot of foreigners came to our city during the World Cup
shìjièbēi shí hěn duō wàiguórén lái wǒmen chéngshì le
If an action goes first, there may be one, two, or zero subjects. There are usually two verbs in such sentences.
Pay attention
The main action is in the second part of the sentence, after 的时候.
Scheme
subject 1
verb 1
的时候
(subject 2)
verb 2
Examples
爸爸吃饭的时候一般看报纸
Dad usually reads a newspaper while eating
bàba xǐhuan chīfàn de shíhou kàn bàozhǐ
我回来时妈妈已经睡着了
Mum was already asleep when I came back
wǒ huílái shí māma yǐjīng shuìzháo le
上课的时候不可以用手机
Using a mobile phone is not allowed during class
shàngkè de shíhou bù kěyǐ yòng shǒujī
The pattern 在…的时候
We can also put 在 at the beginning of the construction, unless it’s a verb meaning ‘to be situated’.
at the beginning of the construction, unless it’s a verb meaning ‘to be situated’.Scheme
(subject )
在
when
period of time
的时候
subject
verb
Examples
在方便的时候我会回电话的
I'll call back when it's convenient
zài fāngbiàn de shíhòu wǒ huì huí diànhuà de
他们在黄昏时返回
They returned when it was getting dark
tāmen zài huánghūn shí fǎnhuí
The pattern 当…的时候
In written speech, we usually use 当…的时候 or sometimes 当…时.
当 is placed at the beginning of a sentence.
or sometimes 当…时.
当 is placed at the beginning of a sentence.Scheme
当
subject 1
verb 1
的时候
subject 2
verb 2
Pay attention
The subject can only be placed after 当.
Examples
当她生气的时候，她看起来很可爱
She looks cute when she's angry
dāng tā shēngqì de shíhòu, tā kàn qǐlái hěn kě'ài
当他求婚时，她抑制眼泪抑制不了
When he proposed, she couldn't hold back her tears
dāng tā qiúhūn shí, tā yìzhì yǎnlèi yìzhì bùliǎo
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