〜際に (〜さいに): This means 'when' or 'at the time of something'. You use it for important or special events. It is a more polite way to say 'toki'.

〜際に

This means 'when' or 'at the time of something'. You use it for important or special events. It is a more polite way to say 'toki'.

N2 KMT6FormalStandardCompound ParticleMixedCompound Simultaneity And OpportunityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + 際にPrimary

Verb [た-form] + 際に

Noun + の + 際に

This means 'when' or 'at the time of something'. You use it for important or special events. It is a more polite way to say 'toki'.

先月ロンドンへ出張した際に、お土産を買ってきました。

When I went on a business trip to London last month, I bought some souvenirs.

PolitePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeTravel & Transportation Work & Career

お申し込みの際に、身分証明書をご持参ください。

When you apply, please bring your identification.

RespectfulNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceRequestWork & Career Business & Finance

こちらの機器をご利用の際には、このボタンには触れないでください。

When using this equipment, please do not touch this button.

FormalNon PastNegativeMid SentenceProhibitionTechnology Work & Career

帰省する際に、昔の恩師にお会いしました。

On the occasion of returning to my hometown, I met my old teacher.

PolitePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships Education

契約の際に必要な書類は、こちらの一覧に記載されております。

The documents required at the time of signing the contract are listed here.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeBusiness & Finance Politics & Law

This grammar is for important moments. Think of big events or official steps. It is not for small, everyday things. For daily actions, use 'toki'.

This is like saying "when" but in a formal way. It is for special times. It is not like "ori ni" which sounds more like a story. It is also not like "tsuide ni". That means doing something extra while you are already doing something else. This just tells you when something happens.

Don't use this when you talk about general times. For example, you cannot say "when busy" with this word.

Often confused with(1)

〜折に

This phrase means 'when' or 'at the time of'. You use it for a special moment when something else happens.

Contrasts with(1)

〜かたわら / 〜傍ら

You use this when you do two big things at the same time. One is your main activity. The other is a second important activity.

More formal alternatives(2)

〜ながら

This grammar shows two actions happening at the same time. You do one thing while you do another. The second action is the main one.

〜ついでに

This means you do a second thing when you are already doing a first thing. You use the chance to do something extra. It is like saying 'while you are at it'.

Less formal alternatives(2)

〜かたわら / 〜傍ら

You use this when you do two big things at the same time. One is your main activity. The other is a second important activity.

〜かたがた

You do two things at once. One main thing, and another thing too. It is a formal way to say "while also doing...".

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

た形

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

〜に (time)

This word tells you when something happens. It points to an exact time or date.

〜前（に）

This means 'before' or 'ago'. You use it to say something happens earlier than another thing or time.

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Dictionary

〜際に

This means 'when' or 'at the time of something'. You use it for important or special events. It is a more polite way to say 'toki'.

N2 KMT6FormalStandardCompound ParticleMixedCompound Simultaneity And OpportunityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + 際にPrimary

Verb [た-form] + 際に

Noun + の + 際に

This means 'when' or 'at the time of something'. You use it for important or special events. It is a more polite way to say 'toki'.

先月ロンドンへ出張した際に、お土産を買ってきました。

When I went on a business trip to London last month, I bought some souvenirs.

PolitePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeTravel & Transportation Work & Career

お申し込みの際に、身分証明書をご持参ください。

When you apply, please bring your identification.

RespectfulNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceRequestWork & Career Business & Finance

こちらの機器をご利用の際には、このボタンには触れないでください。

When using this equipment, please do not touch this button.

FormalNon PastNegativeMid SentenceProhibitionTechnology Work & Career

帰省する際に、昔の恩師にお会いしました。

On the occasion of returning to my hometown, I met my old teacher.

PolitePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships Education

契約の際に必要な書類は、こちらの一覧に記載されております。

The documents required at the time of signing the contract are listed here.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeBusiness & Finance Politics & Law

This grammar is for important moments. Think of big events or official steps. It is not for small, everyday things. For daily actions, use 'toki'.

Don't use this when you talk about general times. For example, you cannot say "when busy" with this word.

Often confused with(1)

〜折に

This phrase means 'when' or 'at the time of'. You use it for a special moment when something else happens.

Contrasts with(1)

〜かたわら / 〜傍ら

You use this when you do two big things at the same time. One is your main activity. The other is a second important activity.

More formal alternatives(2)

〜ながら

This grammar shows two actions happening at the same time. You do one thing while you do another. The second action is the main one.

〜ついでに

This means you do a second thing when you are already doing a first thing. You use the chance to do something extra. It is like saying 'while you are at it'.

Less formal alternatives(2)

〜かたわら / 〜傍ら

You use this when you do two big things at the same time. One is your main activity. The other is a second important activity.

〜かたがた

You do two things at once. One main thing, and another thing too. It is a formal way to say "while also doing...".

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

た形

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

〜に (time)

This word tells you when something happens. It points to an exact time or date.

〜前（に）

This means 'before' or 'ago'. You use it to say something happens earlier than another thing or time.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜際に

Patterns3

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with6

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(1)

More formal alternatives(2)

Less formal alternatives(2)

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery

〜際に

Patterns3

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with6

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(1)

More formal alternatives(2)

Less formal alternatives(2)

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery