1. Home
  2. Grammar Points
  3. Expressing "when" with 等到 ("deng3dao4")

Expressing "when" with 等到 ("deng3dao4")

等到 děngdào

Grammar
HSK 3

Structure

等(到) + Time / Event ，Subj. + 再 / 就 + Predicate 等(到) + Time / Event ，Subj. + 才 + Predicate

Translations

  • when
  • once
  • until

Definition

表示等待某个时间点或事件发生之后，再出现某种情况或结果。通常强调时间上的先后顺序，带有“直到……的时候”的含义。

Indicates that after waiting for a certain time or event to occur, a situation or result will appear. It emphasizes the chronological sequence, often meaning 'by the time when' or 'when it comes to'.

Usage

常用在复句中，前一分句用‘等到’引出时间或条件，后一分句表示在这个时间或条件下发生的事情。‘等到’后面可以接名词性短语、动词短语或小句。

Commonly used in complex sentences, where the first clause uses '等到' to introduce a time or condition, and the second clause indicates what happens at that time or under that condition. '等到' can be followed by a noun phrase, verb phrase, or clause.

Examples

  • 1 等到明天，我们再讨论这个问题。(Wait until tomorrow, then we'll discuss this issue.)
  • 2 等到他来了，我们才能开始会议。(We can't start the meeting until he arrives.)
  • 3 等到夏天，我们就可以去海边游泳了。(When summer comes, we can go swimming at the beach.)
  • 4 等到你准备好了，就通知我一声。(Let me know when you are ready.)
  • 5 等到孩子睡着了，她才开始工作。(She didn't start working until the child fell asleep.)

Put it into practice

Exam-style HSK drills with instant scoring and explanations.

Find my HSK level

Free · about 3 minutes · no account needed