관계부사: 시간을 나타내는 'When'
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'when' to link a specific time, day, or era to a description without using clunky prepositions.
- Place 'when' immediately after a time noun like 'day', 'year', or 'moment'. Example: 'The year when we met.'
- The clause following 'when' must contain a subject and a verb. Example: '...when the sun sets.'
- In informal English, 'when' can often be replaced by 'that' or omitted entirely. Example: 'The day (that) we left.'
Overview
when이 등장해.when we met. (우리 만났던 그날이 기억나.)"라고 부드럽게 말할 수 있어. 훨씬 자연스럽고 흐름도 좋아서 영어를 아주 잘하는 것처럼 들릴 거야.when을 제대로 사용하는 건 영어를 '이해 가능한 수준'에서 '유창한 수준'으로 끌어올리는 아주 작은 변화 중 하나야. 흐릿한 사진과 4K 동영상의 차이라고나 할까? 네가 설명하는 바로 그 순간을 듣는 사람이 똑똑히 보길 원한다면, when은 너의 가장 친한 친구가 되어줄 거야.How This Grammar Works
when을 관계부사라고 불러. 하지만 이름이 거창하다고 겁먹을 필요는 없어. 역할은 아주 단순하거든.when을 써서 그 간극을 이어주는 거지. 예를 들어, '어떤 순간'에 대해 이야기하고 있는데, 그게 마침 네가 실수로 전 애인의 3년 전 사진에 '좋아요'를 눌렀던 순간이라면, when이 그 두 생각을 완벽하게 연결해 줘.on which나 at which 같은 전치사 구를 대신하는 역할을 해. the day on which we traveled라고 말하는 것도 문법적으로는 맞지만, 마치 19세기 소설을 쓰는 것처럼 들릴 수 있거든. 요즘 문자나 게임, 브이로그에서는 when이 훨씬 더 어울려.Formation Pattern
day, year, time, moment, era, week, 심지어 summer 같은 단어들도 괜찮아.
when을 붙여. 이게 바로 연결 고리야.
when을 생략할 때도 많지만, B1 단계의 학습자라면 생략하지 않고 쓰는 게 언제나 더 안전해.
when + [주어] + [동사].
The summer + when + I + started vlogging was amazing.
when이 in이나 at 같은 전치사의 필요성을 어떻게 대신하는지 확인해 봐. The summer이라고 말하지 않아도 돼.whenI started vloggingin.
when 안에 이미 '그 시간에'라는 의미가 들어있거든. 아주 경제적이지!
When To Use It
when은 현대 생활의 거의 모든 곳에서 쓰여. 유튜브의 '썰 푸는(Storytime)' 영상이나 친구들에게 게임 버그를 설명할 때 아주 딱이지. 특정 기간이나 시점을 구체적으로 말하고 싶을 때마다 사용해 봐.- 소셜 미디어 캡션: '아이스 커피랑 밈(meme)만 먹고 살았던 그 주(
when)가 그립네.' - 업무 및 줌(Zoom) 회의: '발표 중에 와이파이 끊겼던 그때(
when) 기억나세요?' - 여행 및 브이로그: '이게 바로 우리가 정상에 도착했던(
when) 바로 그 순간이야.' - 추억과 일상: '쇼핑몰에서 몇 시간이고 그냥 놀 수 있었던 그 시절(
when)이 그리워.' - 약속 정하기: '음식 주문하게 네가 한가해지는 시간(
when)을 알려줘.'
when이 도와주거든. 네 개인적인 타임라인을 하나로 묶어주는 접착제 같은 존재지. when이 없다면 네 이야기는 그저 날짜와 사실의 나열일 뿐일 거야. 그건 마치 '이용 약관' 페이지를 읽는 것만큼이나 지루하겠지?Common Mistakes
when 대신 which나 that을 쓰는 거야.- 전치사 함정: 학습자들이 자주
The day
라고 말하곤 해. (틀렸어!)whichI met herwhen을 쓰거나on which를 써야 해. 만약which를 쓰고 싶다면 반드시 전치사가 있어야 해:The day
하지만on whichI met her.when이 훨씬 더 자연스러워. - 중복 표현:
The time
이라고 말하는 건 피해 줘.whenit happenedthen.when이 이미 역할을 다했기 때문에 문장 끝에then을 붙일 필요가 없거든. 선글라스를 두 개 쓰는 것과 같아. 불필요하고 좀 이상해 보이지. - 'Where'와 헷갈리는 경우: 네가 쓴 명사가 정말 시간을 나타내는지 확인해 봐. 가끔 사람들이
The place
이라고 말할 때가 있어. 네가 거대한 시계 안에서 태어난 게 아니라면, 아마whenI was bornThe place
이라고 말하려던 거겠지?whereI was born - 명사 빠뜨리기: 이런 관계절에서
when은 앞서 나온 '시간 명사'를 가리켜야 해. 만약I remember
이라고 한다면 그건 조금 다른 구조(명사절)가 돼. 관계절로 쓰려면 명사가 필요해:whenwe metI remember the
timewhenwe met.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
when, which, that 중에서 뭘 써야 할지 어떻게 알까? 단톡방에서 알맞은 이모티콘을 고르는 것과 같아. 문맥이 전부지!whenvs.on which/in which: 의미는 같지만when이 더 편하고 쿨한 사촌 같은 느낌이야. 격식 있는 이메일이나 대학 리포트에는on which를 쓰고, 그 외에는 다when을 쓰면 돼.whenvs.that: 많은 경우에when대신that을 쓰거나 아예 생략할 수 있어.The year
와whenI graduatedThe year
둘 다 괜찮아. 하지만thatI graduatedwhen이 시간에 대해 더 구체적이고 종종 더 명확하게 들려.whenvs.where: 이건 제일 쉬워. 달력이나 시계에 있는 거라면when을 쓰고, 지도에 있는 거라면where를 써.- 관계절 vs. 의문사:
The time
의whenwe metwhen과
의Whenare we meeting?when을 헷갈리지 마. 하나는 문장을 이어주는 연결고리(관계부사)고, 다른 하나는 물어볼 때 쓰는 말(의문사)이야.
when을 특수 공구라고 생각해 봐. 스마트폰 화면을 고치는 데 망치를 쓰지는 않잖아? 아주 매끄럽게 말하고 싶다면 토요일 오후를 설명할 때 which를 쓰면 안 되는 것과 같은 이치야.Quick FAQ
'the hour when the show starts'처럼 구체적인 시간(시)에도 when을 쓸 수 있어?
당연하지! when은 밀리초부터 밀레니엄까지 어떤 시간 단위에도 다 쓸 수 있어.
when을 생략해도 괜찮아?
응, 일상적인 영어에서는
The time when we met 대신 The time we met이라고 훨씬 더 많이 말해. 문자 보낼 때 아주 흔해.
when은 과거, 현재, 미래 시제에 다 쓸 수 있어?
응!
The day when I was born (내가 태어난 날 - 과거), The moments when I feel happy (내가 행복을 느끼는 순간 - 현재), The year when I will travel (내가 여행할 해 - 미래) 모두 가능해.
when이 that보다 더 격식 있는 표현이야?
꼭 그렇지는 않지만, 더 정확한 표현이야. 듣는 사람에게 이제부터 '시간'에 대한 설명이 나올 거라는 신호를 주거든.
'every day' 뒤에도 when을 쓸 수 있어?
물론이지!
I love the days when the sun is out (해가 나는 날들이 너무 좋아) 같은 문장은 아주 훌륭해.
내가 쓴 게 시간 명사인지 확신이 안 서면 어떡해?
그 명사에 대해 «몇 시야?» 혹은 «어느 날이야?»라고 물어볼 수 있다면 시간 명사가 맞아.
'the time when'이 맞아, 아니면 'the time at which'가 맞아?
둘 다 맞지만, 일상 대화에서는 'the time when'이 훨씬 더 흔해. 'at which'는 법률 계약서나 아주 화려한 결혼식 초대장을 쓰는 것처럼 들릴 수 있어.
면접에서도 when을 써도 될까?
그럼!
The two years when I worked at Google (구글에서 일했던 2년 동안)처럼 네 경력 기간을 명확하게 정의하는 데 도움이 될 거야.
Sentence Structure with 'When'
| Time Noun (Antecedent) | Relative Adverb | Subject | Verb Phrase | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The day
|
when
|
we
|
met
|
Defining the specific day
|
|
The year
|
when
|
I
|
was born
|
Identifying a specific year
|
|
A time
|
when
|
life
|
was simpler
|
Describing a general period
|
|
The moment
|
when
|
she
|
laughed
|
Capturing a precise point
|
|
The decade
|
when
|
it
|
happened
|
Contextualizing an era
|
Meanings
A relative adverb used to introduce a clause that provides more information about a noun denoting a period of time.
Defining Time
Identifying exactly which time or period is being discussed.
“Sunday is the day when I usually do my laundry.”
“The 1960s was a decade when many social changes occurred.”
Non-Defining Time
Adding extra, non-essential information about a time that is already identified.
“In 2020, when the pandemic started, the world changed.”
“Last Christmas, when we were in London, it actually snowed.”
Formal Substitution
Replacing 'in/on/at which' to make sentences sound more natural.
“The moment when (at which) she realized the truth was dramatic.”
“The era when (in which) dinosaurs lived lasted millions of years.”
Reference Table
| 시간 명사 | 관계 부사 | 행동/사건 | 예문 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The day
|
when
|
we met
|
I remember the day when we met.
|
|
The year
|
when
|
I was born
|
What was the year when you were born?
|
|
A time
|
when
|
I need advice
|
She's the person to call at a time when I need advice.
|
|
The moment
|
when
|
he smiled
|
That was the moment when he smiled.
|
|
My childhood
|
when
|
I lived in London
|
My childhood when I lived in London was unforgettable.
|
|
The period
|
when
|
she studied abroad
|
The period when she studied abroad changed her life.
|
|
An occasion
|
when
|
they celebrate
|
Christmas is an occasion when families gather.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I recall the specific occasion when we first convened. (Memory)
I remember the time when we first met. (Memory)
I remember when we first met. (Memory)
Remember that time we first linked up? (Memory)
수준별 예문
I like the time when we eat pizza.
Monday is the day when I go to school.
I remember the moment when you said hello.
Is this the time when the bus comes?
Winter is the season when it snows a lot.
There was a year when we lived in Spain.
I don't like days when it is very cold.
Do you know the hour when the shop opens?
I'll never forget the day when I got my first job.
Can you suggest a time when we can meet tomorrow?
The 1990s was a decade when technology changed fast.
He arrived at a moment when everyone was leaving.
In 2010, when the economy was struggling, many people lost their homes.
There are times when I feel like quitting, but I keep going.
The era when coal was the main fuel is coming to an end.
I need to find a day when both of us are free for a long talk.
The precise juncture when the two companies merged remains a point of debate.
We are living in an age when privacy is becoming a luxury.
Rarely is there a moment when the city is truly silent.
The period when the artist lived in Paris was his most productive.
The zeitgeist of the era, when existentialism reigned supreme, is reflected in his work.
One can scarcely imagine a time when such behavior would have been tolerated.
The very second when the catalyst is added, the reaction begins.
It was a dark epoch when superstition often overrode scientific inquiry.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners use 'which' for time because they think of the day as a thing.
In informal English, 'that' can replace 'when', which confuses learners about the 'real' rule.
'Whenever' means 'any time', while 'when' refers to a specific time.
자주 하는 실수
The day which I saw you.
The day when I saw you.
I remember when the time.
I remember the time when...
The day when I met you on.
The day when I met you.
When is the day you come?
What is the day when you come?
The summer when it was hot in.
The summer when it was hot.
Sunday is the day when I am going.
Sunday is the day when I go.
The year when I was born it.
The year when I was born.
The time when I spent in Paris.
The time which I spent in Paris.
In 2010 when I was a student I lived in London.
In 2010, when I was a student, I lived in London.
The moment when that I realized...
The moment when I realized...
The era when in which we live.
The era in which we live.
문장 패턴
I'll never forget the day when ___.
___ is the time of year when ___.
There are moments when ___.
Can you think of a time when ___?
Real World Usage
Tell me about a time when you handled a conflict.
That moment when the coffee finally kicks in.
Is there a day when the museum is free?
It was a century when empires fell.
Remember the night when we got lost?
The hour when the polls close is 8 PM.
'when'으로 시간을 더 정확하게
'when'과 'where' 헷갈리지 마세요
the day where I met you처럼) 틀렸고 아주 부자연스럽게 들릴 거예요. 각자 정해진 영역에서만 사용하세요! "Using 'where' for time (e.g., 'the day where I met you') is incorrect and will sound very unnatural."
비격식체에서는 'when'을 생략할 수도 있어요
I remember the day we met도 충분히 이해되죠. 하지만 더 명확하게 하거나 격식 있는 어조를 원한다면 'when'을 꼭 넣어주세요! 헷갈릴 때는 일단 넣는 게 안전해요. "In casual speech or writing, you can sometimes drop 'when'."
자막에 'when'이 자주 보여요
자신의 추억으로 연습해보세요
I remember the year when I started university.
The moment when I got my first job was unforgettable.이렇게 개인적인 경험과 연결해서 배우면 'when'을 더 잘 기억하고 실제 대화에 자연스럽게 사용할 수 있을 거예요. "Think about significant events in your life and say 'I remember the year when I started university.'"
Smart Tips
Try replacing 'when' with 'in which' or 'during which' to sound more academic.
Delete the preposition immediately. 'When' does all the work by itself.
Use 'The moment when' to create a sense of drama and focus.
Try to put 'it' at the end of the clause. If it works, use 'which'. If you need 'on it', use 'when'.
발음
Weak Form of 'When'
In rapid speech, 'when' is often unstressed and sounds like /wən/.
Linking
The 'n' in 'when' often links to the following vowel. 'When I' sounds like 'whe-ni'.
Relative Clause Dip
The day ↘ when we met ↗ was sunny.
The pitch usually drops slightly during the relative clause to show it is parenthetical information.
암기하기
기억법
When for the 'When' (time), Where for the 'Where' (place).
시각적 연상
Imagine a clock face that has a bridge growing out of it. The bridge connects the clock to a movie screen showing an action. The bridge is labeled 'WHEN'.
Rhyme
If it's a day, a year, or a time, use 'when' to make your sentence climb!
Story
Once there was a lonely 'Monday'. It wanted to tell everyone it was special. It met a connector named 'When'. Together, they became 'The Monday when I won the lottery', and everyone finally understood why it was special.
Word Web
챌린지
Write three sentences about your favorite childhood memories using 'The year when...', 'The day when...', and 'The time when...'.
문화 노트
Using 'the time when' is a very common way to start a story or anecdote in English-speaking cultures.
In formal papers, writers often prefer 'the period in which' over 'the time when' to sound more objective.
In both US and UK casual speech, 'when' is frequently dropped if the noun is 'time' or 'day'.
From Old English 'hwanne', which was originally an interrogative adverb.
대화 시작하기
Can you tell me about a time when you felt really proud of yourself?
What is the best time of year when someone should visit your country?
Do you remember the day when you first started learning English?
Is there a specific hour of the day when you feel most productive?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
My favorite season is autumn, ___ the leaves change color.
Find and fix the mistake:
The concert which starts at 8 PM is going to be amazing.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesI'll never forget the day ___ we first met.
The year ___ I spent in Italy was the best of my life.
Find and fix the mistake:
That was the summer when we went to France in.
remember / the / do / you / when / time / we / lost / got / ?
1. The morning... 2. The year... 3. The moment...
You can use 'when' to replace 'on which'.
A: Why do you love autumn? B: It's the season ___ the leaves change color.
I know the day when he arrives.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI'll never forget the year ___ I graduated from college.
Choose the correct sentence:
Can you tell me the moment where you knew it was over?
Translate into English: 'I love the time when the city is quiet.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
각 시간 표현과 올바른 'when' 절을 연결하세요:
This is the restaurant ___ we celebrated my birthday last year.
Tell me a story about a time where you were really brave.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'I cherish the days when we had no responsibilities.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
문장의 시작과 올바른 끝부분을 연결하세요:
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes, in informal English, `that` is very common, especially after 'day' or 'time'. Example: 'The day `that` we met.'
Yes, if the time noun is the object of the main clause. 'I remember the day (when) we met.' This is very common in spoken English.
`In which` is much more formal. You would use it in an academic essay, whereas `when` is used in daily conversation.
Absolutely. You can say 'The very second `when` the bomb exploded.' It works for any duration of time.
Because `when` already acts as the prepositional phrase 'on which'. Adding 'on' again is like saying the same thing twice.
As a relative adverb, yes. If there is no noun, it is likely a subordinating conjunction or a question word.
No, `where` is strictly for locations. However, some languages (like French) use the same word for both, which causes confusion.
It is not redundant; it is grammatically standard. While you can say 'I remember when...', adding 'the time' makes it a relative clause.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
cuando / en que
Spanish speakers often forget that 'when' doesn't need a preposition in English.
où / quand
French speakers often say 'the moment where' instead of 'the moment when'.
als / wenn
English uses 'when' for both single past events and general times.
時 (toki)
The word order is reversed, and there is no 'when' equivalent acting as a bridge.
عندما (indama) / حين (hina)
English forbids the resumptive pronoun (e.g., 'the day when I saw him *in it*').
的时候 (de shihou)
Chinese speakers often struggle with the 'Noun + when' order in English.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
관련 동영상
Winter got you feeling down? Watch this - Kelly Rohan
The physics behind Einstein’s most famous equation - Lindsay DeMarchi and Fabio Pacucci
[영문법] 관계부사 when, where, why, how 완벽 정리! (관계부사 예문 포함)
하루5분영어
관계부사 WHEN, WHERE, WHY, HOW 10분만에 끝내기!
제이쌤TV
[영문법] 헷갈리는 관계대명사 that, which, who, 관계부사 when, where, why 총정리!!
그렉영어GregEnglish
Related Grammar Rules
관계절: 제한적 용법 vs 비제한적 용법의 의미 차이
Overview 인스타그램 피드를 넘겨보고 있다고 상상해 보세요. 고양이 두 마리를 키우는 친구의 게시물이 보입니다. 한 마리는 하...
관계부사: 장소를 나타내는 'Where'
Overview 친구에게 정말 멋진 피자집에 대해 말해주려다가 문장 중간에 막힌 적 있나요? 있잖아요, 거기. 도우 끝에 꿀을 발라주...
격식 관계절 (in which, to whom)
### Overview 영어를 모국어로 사용하는 환경에서 전문적인 수준의 의사소통을 지향하는 학습자에게 있어, '전치사 + 관계대명사...
문장 줄이기: 축약된 관계절
### Overview 영어를 모국어처럼 구사하고 싶은 B2 레벨의 학습자라면, 문장을 더 간결하고 세련되게 만드는 기술인 '축약된 관...
Whose: 소유를 나타내기
### Overview 영어에서 `whose`는 **소유격 관계대명사(possessive relative pronoun)**로 불리며, 문장 내에서 두 가지 정보를...