當...嗰陣時

When (Formal 當)

Level 4Sounds Like dong3 . . . go2 zan6 si4

當 (dong1) + [Clause] + 嗰陣時 (go2 zan6 si4) is a semi-formal way to say 'when' or 'at the time of' in Cantonese. It is a hybrid of formal and colloquial elements common in media and speeches.

How It Works

The pattern 當...嗰陣時 (dong1... go2 zan6 si4) functions as a temporal conjunction. While English uses a single word ('when') at the start of a clause, Cantonese often uses these 'circumfix' structures to frame the time period clearly.

  • 當 (dong1): A formal register marker influenced by Standard Written Chinese. It signals that a specific time or condition is being described.
  • 嗰陣時 (go2 zan6 si4): Literally 'that period of time.' In spoken Cantonese, the final character 時 (si4) often undergoes a tone change to become 時 (si2).

Register and Usage:
This specific structure is a hybrid register. It combines the formal 當 with the colloquial 嗰陣時. You will hear it in news broadcasts or formal presentations. In daily conversation, native speakers almost always omit the 當 and simply use the closing ...嗰陣時, or they might use the colloquial frame 喺...嗰陣時 (hai2... go2 zan6 si4).

Formal Alternatives:
In strictly formal writing or high-register speech, the closing marker 嗰陣時 is replaced by 嘅時候 (ge3 si4 hau6). The structure 當...嘅時候 is the standard for written Cantonese and formal speech.

Shortening:
The closing part is flexible. You can use:
1. 嗰陣時 (go2 zan6 si4) - Full/Standard
2. 嗰陣 (go2 zan6) - Very common/Colloquial
3. 嗰時 (go2 si4) - Common/Colloquial

Examples (4)

  1. 當我讀大學嗰陣時仲未有電腦。

    When I was at university, there were no computers yet.

    Word by Word: When I study university that time still not-yet have computer.

    This uses the full formal frame. 仲未 (zung6 mei6) means 'still not yet'.

  2. 當我寂寞嗰陣時，我會諗起你。

    When I am lonely, I think of you.

    Word by Word: When I lonely that time, I will think-up you.

    諗起 (nam2 hei2) is a resultative compound meaning 'to recall' or 'to think of'.

  3. 當佢返到屋企嗰陣時，天已經黑晒。

    When he returned home, it was already completely dark.

    Word by Word: When he return-reach house that time, sky already black-completely.

    晒 (saai3) is used here as an intensifier meaning 'completely'.

  4. 當你見到佢嗰陣時，話我知吖。

    When you see him, let me know.

    Word by Word: When you see-reach him that time, tell me know (particle).

    話...知 (waa6... zi1) is the standard way to say 'let someone know'.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the closing particle 嗰陣時.

    當我細個，我住喺香港。
    當我細個嗰陣時，我住喺香港。

    In Cantonese the 當…嗰陣時 frame is normally closed at the end of the clause. 當 alone at the start, as in the English 'when', sounds incomplete in speech.

  • Using 當 in casual conversation.

    Different Meaning當我食飯嗰陣，佢打畀我。
    我食飯嗰陣，佢打畀我。

    While not grammatically 'wrong,' using 當 (dong1) in a casual chat sounds overly stiff or like you are reading a script. Simply drop the 當 for a natural spoken tone.

  • Placing the 'when' clause at the end of the sentence.

    我會諗起你當我寂寞嗰陣時。
    當我寂寞嗰陣時，我會諗起你。

    Cantonese time clauses must almost always come before the main action, unlike English where they can be moved to the end.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

當...嗰陣時Level 4When (Formal 當)

Learn This First

The pattern 當...嗰陣時 is a 'sandwich' structure used to indicate 'when' something happens. It is a more formal or written-style variation of the common Cantonese 嗰陣時. To understand it, learners should already be familiar with the basic way to express 'when' in spoken Cantonese and recognize that 當 acts as a formal opening marker for the time clause.

Words in This Pattern

当嗰阵时