GRAMMAR EXPLANATION

1．～とき

to express the time when some states or actions exist or occur.　とき (toki) connects two sentences and expresses the time when the state or action described in the main sentence takes place.

Verb dict-formとき～        い-adjectiveとき～

Verb ない-formとき～       な-adjective + なとき～

Verb た-formとき～           Noun + のとき～

a)　 使い方が分からない とき、田中さんに聞いてください。When you don’t know how to use it, ask Ms Tanaka.

b)　 体(からだ)の調子(ちょうし)が悪(わる)い とき、医者(いしゃ)へ行きます。

When I am not feeling well, I visit the doctor.

• toki in Japanese has Different Meanings for Verbs in Present or Past Tense

With verbs, it helps to keep in mind that non-past form indicates an action that happens “all the time” or is “not yet completed”. The past form is used when the action is “over and finished”.

a)　日本へ行く とき、カメラを買いました。

I bought a camera when I was on my way to Japan

(before reaching Japan, on the way there he bought a camera)

b)　日本へ行った とき、カメラを買いました。

I bought a camera when I went to Japan

(arrived in Japan and bought a camera there)

• (Verbs in Present) 行く(iku) indicates that the action had not been completed.

The speaker bought a camera somewhere on his/her way to Japan. (the camera could be bought in his/her own country).

Past Tense行った (itta) indicates that the action had been completed and the speaker bought a camera after arriving in Japan.

• You can also use Verb て-form いるとき to express the time in the middle of action, while you are doing something.

a)　 ご飯を食べている とき、山田さんがうちへ来ました。

While I was eating, Mr Yamada came to my house.

 

2.　Sentence 1 とSentence2

と (to) sentence expresses Sentence 2 inevitably as a result of Sentence 1. It means whenever the condition in Sentence 1 is set, result in Sentence 2 will always happen. Therefore expressions used in Sentence 2 are natural and predictable events/states or unavoidable facts.

Affirmative

Verb (Dictionary-form)  と、     Sentence 2

い-Adj (～い)                    と、     Sentence 2

な-Adj だ                            と、     Sentence 2

Noun だ                             と、     Sentence 2

Negative

Verb (ない-form)            と、     Sentence 2

い-Adj (～い) くない     と、     Sentence 2

な-Adj でない             　と、     Sentence 2

Noun でない                   と、     Sentence 2

a) 　２０歳以上(さいいじょう)だと、日本ではお酒が飲めます。If you are above 20 years old, you can drink alcohol in Japan.

b)　 雪(ゆき)が降(ふ)らないと、スキーができません。

If there is no snow, you cannot ski.

• Note: Expressions of one’s will, hope, judgement, permission, order, invitation　or request, etc cannot be used in Sentence 2.

＞と (to) sentence is mainly used in the following 3 types of sentences…

 

1)　Nature-related Fact

c)　春(はる)になると、桜(さくら)が咲(さ)きます。

If Spring comes, the cherry blossom will bloom.

2)　Use of Machine

d)　 このボタンを押(お)すと、２００円の切符(きっぷ)が出ます。

If you press this button, 200 yen ticket will come out.

3)　Give Direction

e)　あの交差点(こうさてん)を左(ひだり)に曲(ま)がると、郵便局(ゆうびんきょく)があります。

If you turn left at that crossroad, you will find the post office.