Japanese learning (A1 S23): Adverbial Clause similar to “When-Clasue” that describes a Condition: [V-dic/V-nai Clause] toki, [Main Clause].

Recently, we have learned how to modify a noun using a verb clause. In today’s sentence construction too, a verb modifies a noun. The noun is “toki” which basically means “time” and “when”.

1. Densha ni Noru toki, Kippu o Kaimasu. (When getting on a train, I buy a ticket.)

Let’s analyze the construction of the sentence 1;

– [Densha ni Noru]+toki, Kippu o Kaimasu. = [Verb Clause]+toki, [Main Clause].

In this construction, “[Verb Clause]+toki” works as an adverbial for the main clause, especially its predicate, the verb “Kaimasu”. And sentences of this construction don’t simply express when to do something, but also have a nuance of preconditions for the main clause. For example, look at the sentence 1 again;

1. Densha ni Noru toki, Kippu o Kaimasu.

English translation is (When getting on a train, I buy a ticket.)

But it can also be translated as follows (If I get on a train, I will buy a ticket.), which has more nuance of precondition in the “V+toki”.

The sentence 1 uses the dictionary form of the verb “Noru/Norimasu” just in front of “toki”. If a Nai-form is used, the nuance of precondition becomes more clear as shown below;

2. Kippu no Kai kata ga Wakaranai toki, Ekiin ni Kiite Kudasai.

(If you don’t know how to buy a ticket, please ask a station employee.)

Because “[V-dic]+toki,” and “[V-nai]+ toki,” have a nuance of precondition for the main clause, a sentence of today’s construction tends to talk about the usual state, rather than to be time/date specific.

3-1 Juu ichi-ji ni Douro o Wataru toki, Kuruma ni Ki o Tsukemasu. (Time-specific)

(When I cross a road at eleven o’clock, I will be careful about cars.)

3-2 Douro o Wataru toki, Itsumo Kuruma ni Ki o Tsukemasu. (In usual state)

    (When I cross a road, I always become careful about cars.)

Of course, the sentence 3-1 is not common.

4-1 Suiyoubi ni Shimbun o Yomu toki, Megane o Kakemasu. (Date-specific)

(When I read a newspaper on Wednesday, I put glasses.)

4-2 Shimbun o Yomu toki, Taitei Megane o Kakemasu. (In usual state)

    (When I read a newspaper, I usually put glasses.)

4-1 sounds funny. It should be “Yonda toki” and “Kakemashita” in past tense.

But what I am talking about is not absolute. Look at the following;

5. Mokuyoubi ni Byouin he Iku toki, Hokenshou o Motte Ikimasu. (Date-specific)

(When I go to the hospital on Thursday, I will bring my health insurance card.)

The sentence 5 is date-specific, and it’s likely to be used in some occasion.

Not only “[V-dic]+toki,”, read and remember the following sentences with “[V-nai]+ toki,”;

6. Ryouri ga Dekinai toki, Shokudou de Gohan o Tabemasu.

    (When I can’t cook, I eat my meal in restaurant.)

7. Okane ga Nai toki, Osake o Nomi ni Ikimasen.

    (When I don’t have money, I don’t go drink alcohol.)

Note that the Nai-form of “Aru/Arimasu” is not “Aranai” but just “Nai”.

This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section23 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”