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〜るとき・〜たとき

when (before it happens vs. after it has happened)

Dictionary form + とき (not yet) · た-form + とき (already)

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With とき, the verb's tense shows the order of events, not when the whole sentence happens.

日本へ行くとき、カメラを買った: "when I was about to go to Japan, I bought a camera", so you bought it before leaving. 日本へ行ったとき、カメラを買った: "when I went to Japan, I bought a camera", so you bought it there.

The rule: use the dictionary form if the とき action hasn't happened yet when the main action takes place, and the た-form if it already has.

Everyday greetings show it clearly: 家を出るとき「いってきます」 (before you're out of the door), 帰ったとき「ただいま」 (once you're home). This is a favourite trick in grammar questions.

Examples

  • 日本にほんへ行いくとき、空港くうこうでカメラを買かった。

    Before leaving for Japan, I bought a camera at the airport.

  • 日本にほんへ行いったとき、京都きょうとでお茶ちゃを飲のんだ。

    When I went to Japan, I had tea in Kyoto.

  • 家いえを出でるとき、「いってきます」と言いいます。

    When you leave the house, you say "ittekimasu".

  • 家いえに帰かえったとき、「ただいま」と言いいます。

    When you get home, you say "tadaima".

  • 朝あさ起おきたとき、雨あめが降ふっていた。

    When I woke up this morning, it was raining.

  • 夜よる寝ねるとき、電気でんきを消けします。

    I turn off the light when I go to bed.

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