〜Vる時に / Nの時に

Pattern
〜Vる時に / Nの時に
Level
N4
Reading
るときに / のときに
Meaning
When; at the time of
Attaches to
Verb (dictionary form / ta-form), Noun + の
Nuance & register

Specifies a particular point in time or a situation during which another action takes place. It's more precise than simply using 「〜とき」.

Example

日本へ行く時に、お土産を買いました。

Easily confused with

「〜ながら」 (simultaneous actions by the same subject) vs. 「〜時に」 (one action or state occurs at the time of another, by the same or different subjects, not necessarily simultaneous).

More from Grammar Points