〜際に
On the Occasion of
〜際に is a formal temporal marker used to specify a particular occasion or circumstance. It is the professional version of 時.
How It Works
1. Usage and Nuance
〜際に（さいに） is primarily used in written Japanese, formal speeches, and public announcements. It carries a nuance of 'in the event of' or 'on the occasion of.' It is often used when providing instructions or rules that apply at a specific moment.
2. Grammatical Structure
- Verbs: Use the Dictionary Form (for future/general actions) or the た form (for completed actions).
- Nouns: Attach using the particle の (e.g., 非常の際に（ひじょうのさいに） - in case of emergency). Note that in formal signs or titles, the particle に is sometimes omitted, resulting in phrases like 非常の際（ひじょうのさい） or 非常の際は（ひじょうのさいは）.
3. Triviality Restriction
This pattern cannot be used for trivial, everyday, or natural occurrences. For example, you should not use it for actions like brushing teeth, sleeping, or simple weather changes. Use 時（とき） for these daily contexts.
4. Typical Sentence Endings
The second clause of a 〜際に（さいに） sentence typically expresses a request, command, obligation, or rule. Common endings include 〜てください, 〜必要があります, or the nominalized command 〜こと (frequently used for formal instructions or rules in public notices).
5. Register
This pattern is not used in casual conversation. Using it with friends would sound overly stiff and robotic. Stick to 時（とき） for daily life.
Examples (4)
- お降りの際は、足元にご注意ください。
Please watch your step when getting off.
Word by Word: Honorable-getting off occasion-as for, feet-at attention please.
This is a standard announcement found on Japanese trains and buses. The use of 際は makes it formal and instructional.
- 日本へ入国する際に、パスポートを見せました。
When entering Japan, I showed my passport.
Word by Word: Japan to entry-do occasion at, passport (object) showed.
Entering a country is a significant official event, making 際に more appropriate than the simple 時.
- こちらの会議室をご利用の際は、受付でサインをお願いします。
When using this meeting room, please sign in at the reception.
Word by Word: This meeting room (object) honorable-use of occasion as for, reception at sign (object) request.
A common business instruction. Here, the noun 利用 (りよう - use) is connected to 際 via the particle の.
- 先日、京都へ行った際に、古い友人に会いました。
When I went to Kyoto the other day, I met an old friend.
Word by Word: The other day, Kyoto to went occasion at, old friend (target) met.
際に can be used with the past tense (た form) to describe a specific occasion in the past, though it remains formal.
Common Mistakes
Using 〜際に for mundane daily habits.
朝起きた際に、コーヒーを飲みます。朝起きた時に、コーヒーを飲みます。Waking up and drinking coffee is a trivial daily routine. 〜際に is too formal for this; use 時 instead.
Using 〜際に to describe personal life stages.
子供の際に、ピアノを習っていました。子供の時に、ピアノを習っていました。〜際に refers to a specific event or occasion, not a continuous period of time like 'childhood.' Use 時 for life stages.
Using 〜際に for natural occurrences.
雨が降った際に、傘をさしました。雨が降った時に、傘をさしました。Natural occurrences like rain are considered too common or trivial for the formal 〜際に. Use 時 for everyday events.
How It Connects
Learn This First
〜際に is a formal expression meaning 'on the occasion of' or 'at the time of'. To understand it, learners must be familiar with the basic temporal marker '時', how to modify nouns with verbs or other nouns, and the use of the possessive particle 'の' for noun-to-noun connections.
Related Patterns
- に際してOn the Occasion of
A more formal version that focuses on the preparation or the start of a major event. Unlike 〜際に, it is rarely used for past events.
Level 3 - にあたってAt the Time of
Similar to に際して, but used for positive milestones or proactive occasions, emphasizing the intention behind the action.
Level 3 - 場合In Case of
Meaning 'in the case of.' While 〜際に focuses on the timing, 場合 focuses on the hypothetical condition or situation.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice 〜際に in Bubblegum
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