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Expressing "when" using 当 ("dang1")

当 dāng

Noun
HSK 4

Structure

当 + Phrase (+ 时候)，……

Translations

  • when

Definition

当用于引导时间状语从句，表示'在……的时候'。

Used to introduce adverbial clauses of time, meaning 'at the time when...'.

Usage

当+句子，表示主句动作发生的时间背景。可放在句首或句中，常与'的时候/时'连用。

当+clause, indicating the time background of the main clause's action. Can be placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence, often used with '的时候/时'.

Examples

  • 1 当我走进教室的时候，同学们都安静下来了。(When I walked into the classroom, the classmates all quieted down.)
  • 2 当你遇到困难时，不要放弃。(When you encounter difficulties, don't give up.)
  • 3 当太阳升起，新的一天开始了。(When the sun rises, a new day begins.)
  • 4 当她听到这个消息，她哭了。(When she heard the news, she cried.)
  • 5 当春天来临时，花儿都开了。(When spring comes, the flowers bloom.)

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