Question Word: WHEN

When asking for adverb of time, there are a few ways of doing it, depending on how specific you want the answer to be:

In General, When is translated as: 什么时候 shénme shíhòu

However, if you would like it to be very specific, here is another few more ways:
1. What time: 几点 jǐdiǎn
2. Which date: 几号 jǐhào
3. What day: 星期几 xīngqījǐ

This post might be closely related to the post on how to tell time.

Here is the general sentence structure:
 

S + 什么时候 shénme shíhòu+ Verb (the activity) + Object?

 

S+ 几点 jǐdiǎn+ Verb (the activity) + Object?

 

S + 星期几 xīngqījǐ+ Verb (the activity) + Object?

 

S + 几号 jǐhào+ Verb (the activity) + Object?

Example:

1. When did you arrive? (Do not worry about the past tense, as in Mandarin we do not use that)
你什么时候到？
Ní shénme shíhòu dào? 

2. When are you going to Beijing?
你什么时候去北京？
Ní shénme shíhòu qù Běijīng?

The answers given for both the above questions can be varied. The responder might give you day, date, time, month, etc.

Asking about time:
1. What time did you arrive?
你几点到？

Ní jǐdiǎn dào?

The answer given will be very specific as you asked, the time of arrival.

2. Which date will you be going to Beijing？
你几号去北京
Ní jǐhào qù Beǐjīng?

 

3. What day are you going to Macau?
你星期几去澳门？
Nǐ xīngqījǐ qù Àomen2?


Now, it is your turn to translate a few question, and feel free to practice in giving the answer.
1. What time is it now?
2. What day is today?
3. When did you buy your new car?
4. What date will your family be coming to Bali?
5. When will your uncle be discharge from hospital?

Compare your answer to my next post.

Thank You,
Linda Tan