“When” in Chinese – Dāng

Grammar Point:
The word 當当 dāng can function as a preposition and is often translated as “when” in English. It is a more formal way to express the phrase 的時候的时候 de shíhòudede shíhou.

Structure

當/当 + Phrase

The phrase 的時候的时候 de shíhòudede shíhou or 時时 shí are often used with 當当 dāng structure.

當dāng我的wǒde狗gǒu看到kàndào我wǒ， 他tā會huì一直yìzhí搖yáo尾巴wěibā当dāng我的wǒde狗gǒu看到kàndào我wǒ， 他tā会huì一直yìzhí摇yáo尾巴wěibā
When my dog sees me, he wags his tail continuously.

當dāng他tā餓è的de時候shíhòu， 他tā喜歡xǐhuān吃chī巧克力qiǎokēlì当dāng他tā饿è的de时候shíhou， 他tā喜欢xǐhuan吃chī巧克力qiǎokèlì
When he is hungry, he likes to eat chocolate.

當dāng我wǒ吃飯chīfàn的de時候shíhòu， 我wǒ喜歡xǐhuān看kàn電視diànshì当dāng我wǒ吃饭chīfàn的de时候shíhou， 我wǒ喜欢xǐhuan看kàn电视diànshì
When I eat, I like to watch TV.

當dāng他tā開心kāixīn時shí， 我wǒ也yě覺得juéde開心kāixīn当dāng他tā开心kāixīn时shí， 我wǒ也yě觉得juéde开心kāixīn
When he is happy, I also feel happy.

昨天zuótiān下午xiàwǔ當dāng你nǐ打dǎ電話diànhuà給gěi我wǒ時shí， 我wǒ正在zhèngzài睡覺shuìjiào昨天zuótiān下午xiàwǔ当dāng你nǐ打dǎ电话diànhuà给gěi我wǒ时shí， 我wǒ正在zhèngzài睡觉shuìjiào
When you called me yesterday afternoon, I was sleeping.

當dāng你nǐ生氣shēngqì的de時候shíhòu， 你nǐ會huì做zuò什麼shénme？ 当dāng你nǐ生气shēngqì的de时候shíhou， 你nǐ会huì做zuò什么shénme？
What do you do when you are angry?

每měi當dāng夏季xiàjì就jiù會huì有yǒu很hěn多duō小黑蚊xiǎohēiwén每měi当dāng夏季xiàjì就jiù会huì有yǒu很hěn多duō小黑蚊xiǎohēiwén
During the summer season, there will be many “xiaoheiwen.”

FYI
小黑蚊 xiǎohēiwén (little black mosquito) is actually not a mosquito but a species called Forcipomyia taiwana. They are about 1-1.4 mm in length and are known for their ability to bite humans and cause intense itching. Although current research indicates that 小黑蚊 xiǎohēiwén does not transmit diseases, their bites can be extremely itchy and may lead to allergic reactions. Their bites can be disruptive, making it difficult to sleep or focus on work. It typically takes 7-10 days for the itching to subside, and scratching may even result in scars that can last for several months. Therefore, 小黑蚊 xiǎohēiwén can be considered a significant nuisance during the summer season in Taiwan.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ When we first met, I found you very humorous.

當dāng我們wǒmen第一dìyī次cì見面jiànmiàn時shí， 我wǒ覺得juéde你nǐ很hěn幽默yōumò当dāng我们wǒmen第一dìyī次cì见面jiànmiàn时shí， 我wǒ觉得juéde你nǐ很hěn幽默yōumò

✔️ When we started dating, I realized you are a kidder.

當dāng我們wǒmen交往jiāowǎng時shí， 我wǒ發現fāxiàn你nǐ很hěn喜歡xǐhuān開玩笑kāiwánxiào当dāng我们wǒmen交往jiāowǎng时shí， 我wǒ发现fāxiàn你nǐ很hěn喜欢xǐhuan开玩笑kāiwánxiào

✔️ After we got married, I confirmed that you are simply an idiot.

當dāng我們wǒmen結婚jiéhūn後hòu， 我wǒ確認quèrèn了le你nǐ就是jiùshì個ge白痴báichī当dāng我们wǒmen结婚jiéhūn后hòu， 我wǒ确认quèrèn了le你nǐ就是jiùshì个ge白痴báichī

• Using 的時候的时候 de shíhòudede shíhou to express “when” (HSK 2)