Do you have a routine that you always follow when you do something?
Or do you have your own rules, such as “I always do this when I do something like this”?
This time, we would like to introduce you to a grammar that you can use to express your own rules.
‘when’ or ‘timing’.
Indicates “when” or “timing” for something to happen.
The -ㄹ 때 indicates the time or timing when things happen.
It’s mean to ‘when’ or ‘timing’.
Av
가다 + 때 = 갈 때
when going to ~.
Dv
덥다 + 때 = 더울 때
when it is hot.
Together with “ㄹ 때” we will express what is happening or doing.
How to use “-ㄹ 때”.
-ㄹ 때 is combined with verb and adjective stems.
Vst + -(으)ㄹ 때
보다 + -ㄹ 때 = 볼 때
이다 + -ㄹ 때 = 일 때
바쁘다 + -ㄹ 때 = 바쁠 때
웃다 + -ㄹ 때 = 웃을 때
있다 + -ㄹ 때 = 있을 때
귀찮다 + -ㄹ 때 = 귀찮을 때
만들다 + -ㄹ 때 = 만들 때
들다 + -ㄹ 때 = 들을 때
덥다 + -ㄹ 때 = 더울 때
그렇다 + -ㄹ 때 = 그럴 때
※Vst = stem of verbs or adjectives.
No patchum in the stem
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/doctor.jpg)
When you go to the hospital, make an appointment first.
(가다)
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/yeoja1.jpg)
Grandma uses reading glasses when looking at the newspaper.
(보다)
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xyeoja6.jpg.pagespeed.ic.lVL5oFQU0I.jpg)
I won the district tournament when I was in high school.
(고등학생+이다)
Words without a patchum in the stem are combined with -ㄹ 때.
Have a patchum in the stem
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xnamja1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.1m8ZBck7ey.jpg)
He’s cute and affectionate when he smiles.
(웃다)
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/fox.jpg)
I read books when I have time.
(있다)
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xnamja2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.uM8VhCYoYM.jpg)
I boil a ramen noodles, when preparing meals is a hassle.
(귀찮다)
If the word stem has a patchum, add -을 때.
Cases of irregular changes.
ㄹpatchum
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/yaoya.jpg)
You definitely need sesame oil when making kimbap.
(만들다)
When the stem is ㄹ-patchum, 때 is added as is.
Part of ㄷpatchum
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xmika.jpg.pagespeed.ic.NBRSzTpL_9.jpg)
I always feel sleepy when I listen to that professor’s lectures.
(듣다)
When the stem ㄷ patchm becomes ㄹ, use -을 때.
Part of ㅂpatchum
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xpolice.jpg.pagespeed.ic.z0VxafGOFE.jpg)
People blush when they are embarrassed.
(부끄럽다)
The ㅂ patchum will be 우, so add -ㄹ 때 to it.
ㅎpatchum
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/yeoja3.jpg)
In that case, ask your friends.
(그렇다)
The ㅎpatchum drops out and the -ㄹ 때 enters there.
Let’s change the wording a bit and apply it.
Use “-았/었” together if you are talking about the past.
When talking about the past, combine -았/었.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xnamja1.jpg.pagespeed.ic.1m8ZBck7ey.jpg)
We first met 10 years ago.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xyeoja4.jpg.pagespeed.ic.OT97VBN3zt.jpg)
I was incredibly nervous when I got the interview.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xyeoja5.jpg.pagespeed.ic.L0J742SazN.jpg)
I wasn’t tall when I was in middle school.
The sentence pattern is like “-았을 때/었을 때”.
Combinations with nouns can omit sentence patterns.
We use 이다 for nouns, so they become -일 때 or -이었을 때, but this can be omitted.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xmika.jpg.pagespeed.ic.NBRSzTpL_9.jpg)
What should I do when school is not in session?
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/ane.jpg)
I lived in Singapore when I was 7 years old.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/doctor.jpg)
Take this medicine morning and evening.
The nuance does not change even if the phrase is “noun + 때”, so when it can be omitted, it’s better to expressed in short form.
When combined with other grammars.
-ㄹ 때 can be combined with other grammar.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xnamja2.jpg.pagespeed.ic.uM8VhCYoYM.jpg)
It always rains when I try to go out.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xyeoja6.jpg.pagespeed.ic.lVL5oFQU0I.jpg)
When I want to eat samgyeopsal, I go to Halmoni Restaurant.
![](https://kininaru-korean.net/wp-content/themes/kinikori/images/human/xkoji.jpg.pagespeed.ic.3p5CB4RH6e.jpg)
I’d like to see it when it’s not so crowded.
When combined with other grammars like this, the range of expression is expanded.
Let’s start expressing your own personal routines, etc.