1. Home
  2. Grammar Points
  3. Expressing "when the time comes" with 到时候 ("dao4 shi2hou")

Expressing "when the time comes" with 到时候 ("dao4 shi2hou")

时候 dào shíhou

Adverb
HSK 5

Structure

……，到时候 + ……

Definition

表示在将来的某个特定时间或情况下，常用来指代前面提到的某个时间点或条件达成时。

Indicates at a specific future time or when a certain condition is met, often referring back to a previously mentioned time or event.

Usage

通常用在句首或句中，引出后续的动作或情况。常与条件句或时间状语连用。

Usually used at the beginning or middle of a sentence to introduce a subsequent action or situation. Often used with conditional clauses or time adverbials.

Examples

  • 1 你明天来我家吧，到时候我们一起做饭。 (Come to my place tomorrow, and when the time comes, we'll cook together.)
  • 2 先准备材料，到时候就不会手忙脚乱了。 (Prepare the materials first, so you won't be flustered when the time comes.)
  • 3 他说他会在会议结束后再讨论，到时候我们再决定。 (He said he would discuss it after the meeting, so we will decide when the time comes.)
  • 4 如果考试通过了，到时候我会请大家吃饭。 (If I pass the exam, when the time comes, I'll treat everyone to a meal.)
  • 5 别着急，到时候自然会有办法的。 (Don't worry, when the time comes, there will naturally be a way.)

Put it into practice

Exam-style HSK drills with instant scoring and explanations.

Find my HSK level

Free · about 3 minutes · no account needed