When it happens
Conjugations, Stage 3chunk 4 of 5Grammar patterns
Say how often, since when, and at what moment something happened.
- -ru koto ga arusometimes does; there are times when
- -tabi nievery time; whenever
- -te iraisince; ever since
- -to omottarajust when I thought; no sooner ... than
- -saichuu niin the middle of; right while
- -ta totanthe moment that; as soon as
Mix-ups -ru koto ga aru (sometimes) vs -ta koto ga aru (have ever).
-ru koto ga aru
sometimes does; there are times when
Says something happens now and then; often with tama ni or tokidoki.
Make it dictionary form or -nai form + koto ga aru
Polite -ru koto ga arimasu
Don't mix with -ta koto ga aru, 'have done before'; only the verb form tells them apart.
tama ni asagohan nuku koto aru yo
I skip breakfast now and then.
たまに朝ご飯抜くことあるよ
tama ni asagohan o nuku koto ga arimasu
I sometimes skip breakfast.
たまに朝ご飯を抜くことがあります
Rank #4244 in 3,030 TV dramas
-tabi ni
every time; whenever
The second thing happens without fail on each occasion.
Make it dictionary form + tabi ni; noun + no tabi ni
Close to -to itsumo; tabi ni stresses each single time.
kono uta kiku tabi ni naichau
I cry every time I hear this song.
この歌聞くたびに泣いちゃう
kono uta o kiku tabi ni naite shimaimasu
I cry every time I hear this song.
この歌を聞くたびに泣いてしまいます
Rank #4457 in 3,030 TV dramas
-te irai
since; ever since
From a past event until now, usually with something that has stayed true.
Make it -te form + irai; noun + irai
Sounds a bit formal; casual talk often says -te kara zutto. 'sore irai' = ever since then.
sotsugyou shite irai, zenzen atte nai ne
We haven't seen each other at all since graduation.
卒業して以来、全然会ってないね
sotsugyou shite irai, zenzen atte imasen ne
We haven't met at all since we graduated.
卒業して以来、全然会っていませんね
Rank #1482 in 3,030 TV dramas
-to omottara
just when I thought; no sooner ... than
Something unexpected follows right away, or the reality turns out different: 'I thought X, but'.
Make it plain form (often -ta) + to omottara
It can also be a plain 'if you think': 'takai to omottara, kawanakute ii yo'. Context tells them apart.
yatto hareta to omottara, mata ame da
Just when it finally cleared up, it's raining again.
やっと晴れたと思ったら、また雨だ
yatto hareta to omottara, mata ame desu ne
Just as it cleared up, it's raining again.
やっと晴れたと思ったら、また雨ですね
Rank #1666 in 3,030 TV dramas
-saichuu ni
in the middle of; right while
Usually for an interruption that came at a bad moment.
Make it -te iru form + saichuu ni; noun + no saichuu ni
Stronger than -te iru aida (while). 'ima saichuu' = I'm right in the middle of it.
kaigi no saichuu ni onaka ga natchatta
My stomach growled right in the middle of the meeting.
会議の最中にお腹が鳴っちゃった
kaigi no saichuu ni onaka ga natte shimaimashita
My stomach rumbled in the middle of the meeting.
会議の最中にお腹が鳴ってしまいました
Rank #3536 in 3,030 TV dramas
-ta totan
the moment that; as soon as
The second thing happens instantly and usually unexpectedly.
Make it -ta form + totan (ni)
Not for your own plans: 'as soon as I get home, I'll call' is -tara sugu.
suwatta totan ni nechatta
He fell asleep the second he sat down.
座った途端に寝ちゃった
suwatta totan ni nete shimaimashita
He fell asleep the moment he sat down.
座った途端に寝てしまいました
Rank #3554 in 3,030 TV dramas