とき

とき

1. Toki by itself means time, but here it is used in another way

   • We use the word とき - toki to describe when something happens or happened.
     • sentence A とき (time reference), sentence B (main event)
       • When A, B.
       • Sentence A always ends in short form, either in the past or present tense.
         • You can decide which tense to use in A by doing a simple thought experiment: Place yourself at the time the main event B takes place, and imagine how you would describe the event in A. If A is current or yet to happen, use the present tense in A. If A has already taken place, use the past.
           • The present tense in A: If, at the time the main event B takes place, A is current or is still "in the future," use the present tense in A
             • チベットに行く時、ビザを取ります
               • (A) going to Tibet /when/, (B) take the visa. / I will take the visa when I go to Tibet.
                 • Note that as long as event A occurs after event B, the clause A gets the present tense (iku), irrespective of the tense in clause B (torimasu or torimashita).

2. Verb dict-form とき Main sentence

3. Verb ない-form とき Main sentence

4. Verb た-form とき Main sentence

5. い-adjective とき Main sentence

6. な-adjective + な とき Main sentence

7. Noun + の とき Main sentence

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