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जिस समय

A2 conjunction #1,500 most common 11 min read

जिस समय

When; at the time that.

jis samay Top 1,500

At the A1 level, you are just starting to connect ideas. You might know the word 'samay' (time) and 'jis' (which). 'Jis samay' is a way to say 'when' for a specific time. Think of it like saying 'At the time...' instead of just 'When.' It helps you talk about your daily routine. For example, 'जिस समय मैं खाता हूँ' (At the time I eat). It is a bit more advanced than 'jab,' but very useful for being clear. You use it to join two small sentences together. If you want to say 'I was sleeping' and 'The phone rang,' you can use 'jis samay' to link them: 'At the time the phone rang, I was sleeping.' This level focuses on simple past and present actions. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just remember that 'jis samay' starts the sentence and sets the time for the rest of what you want to say. It's like a starting signal for your sentence.

At the A2 level, you should begin using 'जिस समय' (jis samay) to describe past events and specific memories. This is the level where you move beyond simple habits and start telling short stories. You will use the correlative pair 'जिस समय... उस समय...' to create balanced sentences. For instance, 'जिस समय मैं बच्चा था, उस समय मेरे पास एक कुत्ता था' (At the time I was a child, [at that time] I had a dog). You are learning that Hindi uses these pairs to make the relationship between two events very clear. You should also notice that 'jis' is the special form of 'jo' used before nouns like 'samay.' At this stage, you can use 'jis samay' to give directions or explain when something happened yesterday. It makes your Hindi sound more structured and less like a series of disconnected thoughts. You are moving from 'When?' as a question to 'When' as a connector.

By B1, you are expected to use 'जिस समय' (jis samay) to handle more complex narratives and hypothetical situations. You can use it to contrast two simultaneous actions: 'जिस समय वह पढ़ रहा था, उस समय मैं खाना बना रही थी' (While he was studying, I was cooking). You will also start to see it in more formal contexts, such as in news reports or textbooks. At this level, you should be comfortable omitting the second part ('us samay') when the context is obvious, which makes your speech sound more natural and fluent. You are also learning to use it with different tenses, including the future: 'जिस समय तुम पहुँचोगे, मुझे फ़ोन करना' (At the time you arrive, call me). This shows you understand that 'jis samay' isn't just for the past; it's a versatile tool for any point on a timeline. You are becoming more precise in your choice of words, choosing 'jis samay' over 'jab' when you want to emphasize the specific moment.

At the B2 level, 'जिस समय' (jis samay) becomes a tool for sophisticated expression and stylistic variety. You use it to create a specific atmosphere in your writing or speaking. For example, in a formal essay or a business report, you might use it to define specific periods of economic growth or social change. You understand the subtle difference between 'jis samay' and 'jis waqt' (the Urdu variant) and can choose the one that fits the register of your conversation. You are also able to use it in complex sentences with multiple clauses, maintaining the logical flow of time throughout. Your grasp of the relative-correlative structure is now instinctive, and you can use it to emphasize certain parts of your sentence by changing the word order. You might say, 'मैं ठीक उसी समय पहुँच गया जिस समय मीटिंग शुरू हुई' (I arrived at exactly the time the meeting started), using 'jis samay' to provide a precise anchor for your main action.

At the C1 level, you use 'जिस समय' (jis samay) with the nuance of a native speaker. You are aware of its use in classical Hindi literature and can appreciate how it contributes to the rhythm and flow of a text. You might use it to discuss abstract concepts, such as 'जिस समय मनुष्य अपनी अंतरात्मा को पहचानता है...' (At the time a human recognizes their inner soul...). You understand how to use it to create suspense or to frame a philosophical argument. Your use of the phrase is no longer just about 'when' but about 'the era,' 'the epoch,' or 'the precise juncture.' You can also identify and use related but more specialized terms like 'jis kshan' (the very instant) or 'jis yug mein' (in the age that) to add even more precision to your speech. You are capable of using 'jis samay' in high-level debates to pinpoint the exact moment a policy failed or a historical shift occurred, showing a deep command of temporal logic in Hindi.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'जिस समय' (jis samay) is complete. You can use it in any context, from the most technical legal documents to the most evocative poetry. You understand its etymological roots and how it interacts with the entire system of relative pronouns in Hindi. You can use it to deconstruct complex temporal relationships in philosophical discourse, or to provide perfectly timed punchlines in sophisticated humor. You might use it to mimic different dialects or historical styles of Hindi. For you, 'jis samay' is not just a conjunction; it is a versatile linguistic instrument that you can play with to achieve specific rhetorical effects. You are also aware of the most obscure synonyms and can explain the subtle historical shifts in how time has been conceptualized in the Hindi-speaking world through phrases like this. Your speech is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, characterized by precision, elegance, and a deep understanding of linguistic register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

जिस समय in 30 Seconds

A formal relative conjunction meaning 'at the time that' or 'when'.
Used to pinpoint specific moments in the past, present, or future.
Commonly paired with 'us samay' (at 그 time) to create balanced sentences.
More precise and literary than the everyday word 'jab' (when).

The Hindi phrase जिस समय (jis samay) is a powerful relative conjunction used to pinpoint a specific moment or duration in time. Translated literally, it means 'at which time' or 'the time at which.' In English, we most frequently translate it simply as 'when,' but it carries a more precise, almost demonstrative weight than the common word 'जब' (jab). While 'jab' is the everyday workhorse for 'when,' jis samay is often employed when the speaker wants to emphasize the exactness of the timing or is speaking in a slightly more formal or narrative register. It functions as part of a correlative pair, typically followed by उस समय (us samay), meaning 'at that time.' This structure creates a logical bridge between two events: 'At the time [X] happened, [Y] also happened.'

Grammatical Composition: The phrase consists of 'जिस' (jis), which is the oblique form of the relative pronoun 'जो' (jo), and 'समय' (samay), the Sanskrit-derived word for 'time.' Because 'samay' is a noun being modified by a relative pronoun in a prepositional-like sense (even if the postposition 'ko' or 'par' is omitted), 'jo' must change to its oblique form 'jis.'

जिस समय सूरज डूब रहा था, हम समुद्र किनारे टहल रहे थे। (At the time the sun was setting, we were walking by the seashore.)

Native speakers use this phrase to set the stage in storytelling or to provide clear instructions. If you are describing a historical event, a specific memory, or a precise scientific phenomenon, jis samay provides a level of clarity that 'jab' sometimes lacks. It signals to the listener that the timing is not just a general condition but a specific anchor for the sentence. For example, in a legal or formal context, one might say, 'जिस समय घटना हुई' (At the time the incident occurred), rather than the more casual 'जब घटना हुई'.

Register and Nuance: While perfectly understood in daily conversation, it leans toward a 'Standard Hindi' or 'Shuddh Hindi' register. In very casual Hinglish or Urdu-influenced street Hindi, people might prefer 'jis waqt' (जिस वक़्त), where 'waqt' is the Arabic-origin word for time. However, 'jis samay' remains the textbook standard and is universally respected across all Hindi-speaking regions.

जिस समय आप यहाँ आए, मैं एक ज़रूरी मीटिंग में था। (At the time you came here, I was in an important meeting.)

Understanding the difference between 'kab' (when - interrogative) and 'jis samay' (when - relative) is crucial for English speakers. You use 'kab' to ask a question ('When are you coming?'), but you use 'jis samay' to join two statements ('When you come, we will eat'). Using 'kab' in the middle of a relative clause is a common beginner mistake that 'jis samay' helps resolve by providing a structured alternative to 'jab'.

Cultural Context: In Indian literature and cinema, 'jis samay' is often used to create suspense or to emphasize destiny. Phrases like 'jis samay kismat badli' (the time when fate changed) highlight the dramatic potential of this specific temporal marker. It frames time as a physical location or a milestone rather than just a fleeting second.

जिस समय बारिश शुरू हुई, बिजली कट गई। (The moment the rain started, the power went out.)

Using जिस समय correctly requires understanding the correlative structure of Hindi. Hindi loves pairs. Just as 'if' is often paired with 'then' (agar... toh), 'jis samay' is paired with 'us samay.' This creates a 'Relative-Correlative' loop. The first clause (the relative clause) starts with 'jis samay' and sets the condition or the time frame. The second clause (the main clause) starts with 'us samay' and describes the action that happened at that time.

The Standard Pattern: [जिस समय + Subject + Verb], [उस समय + Subject + Verb]. Example: जिस समय घंटी बजी, उस समय मैं सो रहा था (At the time the bell rang, [at that time] I was sleeping).

जिस समय तुम पढ़ रहे हो, उस समय शोर मत करो। (At the time you are studying, do not make noise.)

One of the most important aspects of using jis samay is its flexibility in tense. It can be used for the past, present, or future. In the past, it functions like 'when' or 'while.' In the future, it functions like 'at the time that' or 'whenever.' Note that when referring to the future, Hindi often uses the present tense or the future tense in both clauses, depending on the certainty of the event. For example, 'जिस समय तुम आओगे' (At the time you will come) uses the future tense to indicate a specific upcoming moment.

Comparison with 'Jab': While 'Jab' is a general 'when,' 'Jis samay' is more specific. If you say 'जब मैं बच्चा था' (When I was a child), it refers to a long period. If you say 'जिस समय मैं गिर गया' (At the time I fell), it refers to a specific, pinpointed incident.

जिस समय ट्रेन स्टेशन पर पहुँची, बहुत भीड़ थी। (At the time the train reached the station, it was very crowded.)

Another advanced usage involves adding postpositions. Although 'jis samay' usually stands alone, you might occasionally see 'जिस समय पर' (at the time at which). However, the 'par' is usually redundant and omitted. The phrase can also be used to contrast two different times: 'जिस समय तुम खेल रहे थे, उस समय मैं काम कर रहा था' (While you were playing, I was working). This contrastive use is very common in debates or when explaining one's schedule.

Word Order Variations: In poetry or emphatic speech, the order can be reversed: 'मैं सो रहा था जिस समय घंटी बजी' (I was sleeping at the time the bell rang). However, for learners, the [Jis... Us...] structure is the safest and most natural way to build sentences.

जिस समय आप आज़ाद महसूस करें, मुझे कॉल करें। (At the time you feel free, call me.)

जिस समय फिल्म शुरू हुई, हॉल में अंधेरा हो गया। (At the time the movie started, the hall became dark.)

In the real world, जिस समय is a staple of news reporting, formal storytelling, and instructional videos. If you turn on a Hindi news channel like Aaj Tak or NDTV India, you will frequently hear reporters saying things like, 'जिस समय पुलिस वहाँ पहुँची, अपराधी भाग चुके थे' (At the time the police arrived there, the criminals had already fled). It provides a factual, grounded tone that is essential for journalism. It helps establish a timeline of events clearly, which is vital when reporting on fast-moving news stories.

In the Workplace: In a professional setting, you might hear this during a presentation or a meeting. A manager might say, 'जिस समय हम नया प्रोजेक्ट शुरू करेंगे, हमें और लोगों की ज़रूरत होगी' (At the time we start the new project, we will need more people). It sounds more planned and professional than using the casual 'jab'.

जिस समय डेटा लोड हो रहा हो, ब्राउज़र बंद न करें। (At the time the data is loading, do not close the browser.)

You will also encounter this phrase in Hindi literature and formal speeches. When a politician or a public figure speaks about history, they use jis samay to evoke a sense of importance. For example, 'जिस समय हमारा देश आज़ाद हुआ...' (At the time our country became independent...). Here, the phrase adds a layer of solemnity and respect to the historical moment being discussed. It is also common in legal documents and police reports where precision regarding time is legally significant.

Everyday Instructions: Even in daily life, parents might use it with children to be very clear: 'जिस समय मैं बात कर रहा हूँ, उस समय तुम चुप रहो' (At the time I am speaking, [at that time] you stay quiet). It emphasizes the boundary of the time period more strictly than 'jab'.

जिस समय आप दवाई लें, पानी ज़्यादा पिएं। (At the time you take the medicine, drink more water.)

In the digital age, you'll see it in user interfaces and error messages. 'जिस समय आपका ऑर्डर प्रोसेस हो रहा है...' (At the time your order is being processed...). It serves as a clear indicator of a state or a specific window of action. Whether you are reading a novel, watching the news, or following a recipe, jis samay is the phrase that anchors the action to a specific point on the clock or a specific moment in history.

Religious and Philosophical Texts: In discourses on the Bhagavad Gita or other scriptures, 'jis samay' is used to discuss eternal truths or specific moments of divine intervention, emphasizing that time itself is a witness to the events described.

जिस समय मन शांत होता है, उस समय सही निर्णय लिए जाते हैं। (At the time the mind is calm, [at that time] right decisions are made.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing the relative जिस समय (jis samay) with the interrogative कब (kab). In English, the word 'when' serves both purposes: 'When are you coming?' (Interrogative) and 'I will tell you when I arrive' (Relative). In Hindi, these are strictly separated. Using 'kab' in a relative clause like 'मैं आपको बताऊंगा कब मैं आऊंगा' is grammatically incorrect and sounds very jarring to native ears. You must use 'jis samay' or 'jab' for the latter.

Mistake 1: The 'Kab' Trap: Incorrect: मुझे बताओ कब तुम फ्री हो। (Tell me when you are free - using 'kab'). Correct: मुझे बताओ जिस समय तुम फ्री हो। (Tell me the time at which you are free).

Don't say: कब बारिश हुई, मैं बाहर था। Say: जिस समय बारिश हुई, मैं बाहर था।

Another common error is forgetting the oblique form. Beginners often try to say 'जो समय' (jo samay) because they learned 'jo' means 'which.' However, because 'samay' is functioning here as a temporal marker (essentially an implied 'at which time'), the relative pronoun must be in the oblique form 'jis.' Using 'jo samay' in this context is a sign of literal translation from English that doesn't respect Hindi grammar rules.

Mistake 2: Missing the Correlative: While you can sometimes drop 'us samay,' beginners often drop it in places where the sentence becomes unbalanced. If the first clause is long, the second clause needs 'us samay' to remind the listener what we are talking about. Example: 'जिस समय मेरे दादाजी गाँव में रहते थे [उस समय] बिजली नहीं थी।'

Incorrect: जिस समय तुम आए, मैं काम। (Incomplete). Correct: जिस समय तुम आए, उस समय मैं काम कर रहा था।

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse 'jis samay' with 'jis baar' (which time/which occasion). 'Samay' refers to the clock or the moment, while 'baar' refers to the instance or frequency. If you want to say 'The time I went to Delhi,' and you mean the specific trip, 'jis baar' might be better. If you mean the specific moment you arrived, 'jis samay' is correct. Misusing these can lead to confusion about whether you are talking about a moment or an event.

Mistake 3: Tense Mismatch: Sometimes learners use the past tense in the first clause and future in the second. 'जिस समय वह आया, मैं जाऊंगा' (At the time he came, I will go). Ensure both clauses logically align in time.

Correct Tense: जिस समय वह आएगा, मैं जाऊंगा। (When he comes, I will go.)

To master Hindi time markers, you must understand the spectrum of words available. जिस समय (jis samay) sits in the middle of this spectrum, offering more precision than some words and more formality than others. The most common alternative is जब (jab). 'Jab' is shorter, easier to say, and used in 90% of casual conversations. However, 'jis samay' is your go-to when you want to emphasize the 'time' aspect specifically.

Jis Samay vs. Jab: 'Jab' is general: 'जब मैं सोता हूँ' (When I sleep). 'Jis samay' is specific: 'जिस समय मैं सो रहा था' (At the specific time I was sleeping). Use 'jis samay' for narratives and 'jab' for general habits.

Alternative: जिस वक़्त (jis waqt) - The Urdu-influenced version, very common in Bollywood songs and poetry.

Another close relative is जिस क्षण (jis kshan). 'Kshan' means 'moment' or 'instant.' This is even more precise than 'samay.' You would use 'jis kshan' to describe something that happened in a split second, like 'जिस क्षण उसने मुझे देखा' (The very instant he saw me). It is highly literary and dramatic. On the other end of the scale is जिस दौर में (jis daur mein), which means 'in the era that' or 'during the period that,' used for long historical stretches.

Comparison Table

जब (Jab): General 'when', most common.
जिस समय (Jis Samay): Specific 'at the time', formal/precise.
जिस वक़्त (Jis Waqt): Same as jis samay, but more poetic/Urdu-leaning.
जिस क्षण (Jis Kshan): 'The very moment', highly literary.

Example of 'Jis Waqt': जिस वक़्त तुम चाहो, हम चल सकते हैं। (Whatever time you want, we can go.)

Finally, consider जब कभी (jab kabhi), which means 'whenever.' While 'jis samay' refers to a specific instance, 'jab kabhi' refers to any time the condition is met. For example, 'जब कभी बारिश होती है' (Whenever it rains). Choosing the right word depends on whether you are pointing to a specific dot on a timeline (jis samay) or a recurring pattern (jab kabhi).

Summary of Choice: Use 'jis samay' when the 'time' itself is the focus of your sentence or when you are narrating a sequence of specific events.

जिस समय सूरज निकलेगा, हम अपनी यात्रा शुरू करेंगे। (At the time the sun rises, we will begin our journey.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"जिस समय आवेदन प्राप्त होगा, कार्यवाही शुरू की जाएगी।"

Neutral

"जिस समय तुम घर पहुँचो, मुझे बता देना।"

Informal

"जिस समय मन करे, आ जाना।"

Child friendly

"जिस समय चंदा मामा आएंगे, हम सो जाएंगे।"

Slang

"जिस समय सीन सेट होगा, हम निकल लेंगे।"

Fun Fact

The word 'samay' in Sanskrit literally means 'coming together' (sam + aya), implying that time is a collection of events meeting at a point.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒɪs sʌ.meː/

US /dʒɪs sʌ.meɪ/

Equal stress on both words, with a slight pause after 'samay' if it's the start of a clause.

Rhymes With

किस समय (kis samay) उस समय (us samay) इस समय (is samay) हर समय (har samay) सब समय (sab samay) कल समय (kal samay) एक समय (ek samay) वही समय (vahi samay)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jis' as 'jees' (long vowel). It should be short.
Pronouncing 'samay' as 'sa-my' (rhyming with sky). It should be 'sa-may'.
Merging the two words into one. They should remain distinct.
Over-emphasizing the 'h' in 'jis' (there is no 'h').
Using a hard 'z' sound for 'j'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text as it follows a standard pattern.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of the oblique 'jis' and correlative 'us samay'.

Speaking 3/5

Learners often default to 'jab', so using this requires conscious effort.

Listening 2/5

Very clear and distinct pronunciation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

समय जो जिस जब उस

Learn Next

जिस स्थान पर जिस कारण से जिस तरह से जब तक

Advanced

तदोपरांत तत्पश्चात समयानुसार युगांतरकारी

Grammar to Know

Relative-Correlative Pairs

जिस समय (Relative) ... उस समय (Correlative)

Oblique Case with Nouns

'Jo' becomes 'Jis' before 'samay'.

Tense Consistency

If the first clause is future, the second is usually future or imperative.

Dropping the Correlative

You can say 'जिस समय तुम आओ, खाना खा लेना' (dropping 'us samay').

Interrogative vs Relative

Use 'Kab' for questions, 'Jis samay' for statements.

Examples by Level

जिस समय मैं सोता हूँ, लाइट बंद कर दो।

At the time I sleep, turn off the light.

Simple present tense with an imperative.

जिस समय तुम आओगे, हम खाएंगे।

At the time you come, we will eat.

Future tense usage.

जिस समय बारिश होती है, मुझे अच्छा लगता है।

At the time it rains, I feel good.

Expressing a general preference.

जिस समय वह रोया, माँ आ गई।

At the time he cried, mother came.

Simple past tense.

जिस समय घंटी बजी, दरवाज़ा खोलो।

At the time the bell rings, open the door.

Instructional use.

जिस समय सूरज उगता है, मैं उठता हूँ।

At the time the sun rises, I wake up.

Daily routine.

जिस समय तुम पढ़ते हो, शोर मत करो।

At the time you study, don't make noise.

Negative imperative.

जिस समय बस आएगी, हम चढ़ेंगे।

At the time the bus comes, we will board.

Future action sequence.

जिस समय मैं स्कूल में था, मुझे गणित पसंद था।

At the time I was in school, I liked math.

Describing a past state.

जिस समय तुम दिल्ली में थे, क्या तुम लाल किला गए?

At the time you were in Delhi, did you go to the Red Fort?

Interrogative main clause.

जिस समय फोन आया, मैं नहा रहा था।

At the time the phone called, I was bathing.

Past continuous interrupted by an event.

जिस समय वह गाना गा रही थी, सब चुप थे।

At the time she was singing, everyone was quiet.

Simultaneous past actions.

जिस समय एक्सीडेंट हुआ, वहाँ कोई नहीं था।

At the time the accident happened, no one was there.

Describing a specific incident.

जिस समय छुट्टी होगी, हम फिल्म देखेंगे।

At the time the holiday starts, we will watch a movie.

Future planning.

जिस समय तुम छोटे थे, तुम बहुत शरारती थे।

At the time you were small, you were very naughty.

Talking about childhood.

जिस समय लाइट गई, मैं काम कर रहा था।

At the time the light went out, I was working.

Past continuous.

जिस समय बाज़ार में भीड़ बढ़ी, पुलिस ने रास्ता बंद कर दिया।

At the time the crowd in the market increased, the police closed the road.

Narrative sequence of events.

जिस समय आप अपनी फाइलें सेव कर रहे हों, कंप्यूटर बंद न करें।

At the time you are saving your files, do not turn off the computer.

Instructional with continuous aspect.

जिस समय आज़ादी की लड़ाई चल रही थी, कई लोग जेल गए।

At the time the freedom struggle was ongoing, many people went to jail.

Historical narrative.

जिस समय इंटरव्यू शुरू हुआ, मैं बहुत घबराया हुआ था।

At the time the interview started, I was very nervous.

Expressing feelings during an event.

जिस समय नया कानून लागू होगा, हमें बदलाव करने पड़ेंगे।

At the time the new law is implemented, we will have to make changes.

Future obligation.

जिस समय मैच खत्म हुआ, बारिश शुरू हो गई।

At the time the match ended, rain started.

Coinciding events.

जिस समय तुम विदेश जाओगे, तुम्हें नई संस्कृति सीखने को मिलेगी।

At the time you go abroad, you will get to learn a new culture.

Conditional future.

जिस समय उसने सच बोला, सबको हैरानी हुई।

At the time he spoke the truth, everyone was surprised.

Reaction to an event.

जिस समय अर्थव्यवस्था में गिरावट आई, सरकार ने नए सुधार पेश किए।

At the time the economy declined, the government introduced new reforms.

Formal economic context.

जिस समय तकनीक बदल रही है, हमें भी खुद को बदलना होगा।

At the time technology is changing, we too must change ourselves.

Present continuous in a formal argument.

जिस समय फिल्म का क्लाइमेक्स आया, दर्शकों की सांसें थम गईं।

At the time the movie's climax arrived, the audience's breath stopped.

Descriptive/Literary style.

जिस समय डेटा का विश्लेषण किया गया, कई चौंकाने वाले तथ्य सामने आए।

At the time the data was analyzed, many shocking facts came to light.

Passive voice in the relative clause.

जिस समय वह भाषण दे रहे थे, जनता ने तालियाँ बजाईं।

At the time he was giving the speech, the public clapped.

Formal narrative.

जिस समय तुम अपना करियर चुन रहे हो, सोच-समझकर फैसला लो।

At the time you are choosing your career, take a well-thought-out decision.

Advice in a specific context.

जिस समय सूर्य ग्रहण होगा, नंगी आँखों से सूरज को न देखें।

At the time the solar eclipse occurs, do not look at the sun with naked eyes.

Scientific instruction.

जिस समय पुरानी इमारत गिराई गई, धूल का गुबार छा गया।

At the time the old building was demolished, a cloud of dust spread.

Describing a physical process.

जिस समय समाज में वैचारिक क्रांति आती है, पुरानी परंपराएं टूटने लगती हैं।

At the time an ideological revolution occurs in society, old traditions begin to break.

Philosophical/Sociological context.

जिस समय लेखक अपनी रचना पूरी करता है, वह एक प्रकार की मुक्ति का अनुभव करता है।

At the time a writer completes their work, they experience a kind of liberation.

Abstract psychological state.

जिस समय ब्रह्मांड की उत्पत्ति हुई, उस क्षण की कल्पना करना भी कठिन है।

At the time the universe originated, it is difficult even to imagine that moment.

Scientific/Philosophical inquiry.

जिस समय न्याय प्रणाली में सुधार की बात होती है, राजनीतिक इच्छाशक्ति की कमी खलती है।

At the time reforms in the justice system are discussed, the lack of political will is felt.

Complex political commentary.

जिस समय कलाकार अपनी कला में डूब जाता है, समय का बोध समाप्त हो जाता है।

At the time an artist immerses themselves in their art, the sense of time vanishes.

Describing a state of 'flow'.

जिस समय शांति वार्ता विफल हुई, युद्ध की संभावना प्रबल हो गई।

At the time the peace talks failed, the possibility of war became strong.

Formal diplomatic reporting.

जिस समय तकनीक और नैतिकता का टकराव होता है, समाज दुविधा में पड़ जाता है।

At the time technology and ethics clash, society falls into a dilemma.

Ethical/Philosophical discussion.

जिस समय आप इस पत्र को पढ़ रहे होंगे, मैं बहुत दूर जा चुका हूँगा।

At the time you will be reading this letter, I will have gone very far.

Future perfect continuous context.

जिस समय अस्तित्व की नश्वरता का बोध होता है, सांसारिक वस्तुएं अर्थहीन लगने लगती हैं।

At the time the awareness of the transience of existence occurs, worldly objects begin to seem meaningless.

High-level metaphysical discourse.

जिस समय सभ्यताएं अपने चरम पर होती हैं, अक्सर उनके पतन के बीज भी तभी बोए जाते हैं।

At the time civilizations are at their peak, often the seeds of their downfall are also sown then.

Historical/Philosophical paradox.

जिस समय चेतना और पदार्थ के संबंध पर शोध किया जाता है, विज्ञान और दर्शन एक हो जाते हैं।

At the time research is conducted on the relationship between consciousness and matter, science and philosophy become one.

Complex scientific-philosophical synthesis.

जिस समय भाषा अपनी सीमाओं को लांघती है, कविता का जन्म होता है।

At the time language transcends its limits, poetry is born.

Literary theory/Aesthetics.

जिस समय वैश्विक शक्तियों का संतुलन बिगड़ता है, अराजकता का भय व्याप्त हो जाता है।

At the time the balance of global powers is disturbed, the fear of anarchy becomes pervasive.

Geopolitical analysis.

जिस समय मानवीय संवेदनाएं तकनीक के बोझ तले दब जाती हैं, समाज अपनी आत्मा खो देता है।

At the time human emotions are crushed under the weight of technology, society loses its soul.

Social critique.

जिस समय सत्य और असत्य की रेखा धुंधली पड़ जाती है, न्याय करना दुष्कर हो जाता है।

At the time the line between truth and falsehood becomes blurred, doing justice becomes difficult.

Legal/Ethical abstraction.

जिस समय काल का चक्र घूमता है, राजा रंक और रंक राजा बन जाते हैं।

At the time the wheel of time turns, kings become beggars and beggars become kings.

Idiomatic/Philosophical expression.

Common Collocations

ठीक जिस समय

जिस समय की बात है

जिस समय संभव हो

जिस समय उचित लगे

जिस समय घटना घटी

जिस समय सूरज डूबे

जिस समय ज़रूरत हो

जिस समय आप चाहें

जिस समय काम खत्म हो

जिस समय तक

Common Phrases

जिस समय की बात है

ठीक जिस समय

जिस समय जो हो

जिस समय आप फ्री हों

जिस समय मौका मिले

जिस समय वह आया

जिस समय हम मिले

जिस समय आज़ादी मिली

जिस समय तुम चाहो

जिस समय बारिश रुके

Often Confused With

जिस समय vs कब (Kab)

Kab is only for questions. Jis samay is for connecting sentences.

जिस समय vs जब (Jab)

Jab is more general; Jis samay is more specific and formal.

जिस समय vs जिस बार (Jis baar)

Jis baar refers to an occasion/trip; Jis samay refers to the clock/moment.

Idioms & Expressions

"जिस समय की लाठी, उसकी भैंस"

A variation of 'Might is right' (Jiski lathi uski bhains), implying time favors the powerful.

आजकल तो जिस समय की लाठी उसकी भैंस वाला हाल है।

Colloquial

"जिस समय का तकाज़ा"

The need of the hour; what the current time demands.

एकता ही जिस समय का तकाज़ा है।

Formal/Journalistic

"जिस समय का पहिया घूमे"

When the wheel of time turns (referring to a change in fortune).

जिस समय का पहिया घूमेगा, सब ठीक हो जाएगा।

Philosophical

"जिस समय आँख खुले"

When one finally realizes the truth (literally 'when the eyes open').

जिस समय आँख खुले, तभी सवेरा।

Proverbial

"जिस समय पासा पलटे"

When the dice/luck turns.

जिस समय पासा पलटेगा, वह हार जाएगा।

Informal

"जिस समय सूरज पश्चिम से निकले"

Used for something impossible (When the sun rises in the west).

वह मेरी मदद जिस समय सूरज पश्चिम से निकलेगा, तभी करेगा।

Sarcastic

"जिस समय काल आए"

When the time of death/end comes.

जिस समय काल आता है, कोई नहीं बचता।

Literary

"जिस समय का फेर"

A twist of time or fate.

यह सब जिस समय का फेर है, कल वह अमीर था आज गरीब है।

Common

"जिस समय लोहा गरम हो"

When the iron is hot (the right moment to act).

जिस समय लोहा गरम हो, तभी चोट मारनी चाहिए।

Proverbial

"जिस समय की पुकार"

The call of the times; a popular demand of the era.

डिजिटल इंडिया जिस समय की पुकार है।

Political/Formal

Easily Confused

जिस समय vs किस समय (Kis samay)

Sounds similar to 'jis samay'.

Kis samay is the interrogative 'At what time?'. Jis samay is the relative 'At the time that'.

किस समय आओगे? (At what time will you come?)

जिस समय vs इस समय (Is samay)

Both refer to time.

Is samay means 'at this time' (now). Jis samay means 'at which time'.

इस समय मैं व्यस्त हूँ। (At this time I am busy.)

जिस समय vs उस समय (Us samay)

They are a pair.

Jis samay starts the first clause; Us samay starts the second clause.

जिस समय तुम आए, उस समय मैं सो रहा था।

जिस समय vs समय पर (Samay par)

Contains the word 'samay'.

Samay par means 'on time' (punctual). Jis samay is a conjunction.

समय पर आओ। (Come on time.)

जिस समय vs समय से (Samay se)

Contains the word 'samay'.

Samay se means 'in time' or 'since some time'.

वह समय से पहुँच गया। (He arrived in time.)

Sentence Patterns

जिस समय [Action], [Action].

जिस समय बारिश हो, घर रहो।

जिस समय [Subject] [Verb], उस समय [Subject] [Verb].

जिस समय मैं छोटा था, उस समय मैं खेलता था।

जिस समय [Continuous Action], [Sudden Action].

जिस समय मैं पढ़ रहा था, फोन बजा।

ठीक जिस समय [Action], उसी समय [Action].

ठीक जिस समय वह आया, उसी समय मैं गया।

जिस समय [Abstract Concept], [Consequence].

जिस समय समाज जागता है, बदलाव आता है।

जिस समय [Philosophical State], [Realization].

जिस समय अहंकार मिटता है, सत्य दिखता है।

Formal

जिस समय [Official Action], [Procedure].

जिस समय सूचना मिलेगी, हम सूचित करेंगे।

Future

जिस समय [Future Event], [Future Result].

जिस समय तुम जीतोगे, हम जश्न मनाएंगे।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in formal speech, medium-high in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Kab' instead of 'Jis samay'. → जिस समय तुम आए...
'Kab' is only for questions. 'Jis samay' is for relative clauses.
Saying 'Jo samay' instead of 'Jis samay'. → जिस समय...
The relative pronoun must be in the oblique form 'jis' when modifying 'samay'.
Forgetting the second half of the sentence. → जिस समय वह आया, मैं गया।
A 'jis samay' clause usually needs a main clause to complete the thought.
Using 'Jis samay' for a duration of years. → जब मैं बच्चा था...
'Jis samay' usually refers to a more specific point in time than 'jab'.
Tense mismatch between clauses. → जिस समय वह आएगा, मैं मिलूँगा।
Ensure both actions logically align in time (e.g., both future).

Tips

The Correlative Rule

Always remember the Jis-Us pair. If you start with 'Jis samay', the second part of the sentence logically expects 'Us samay'.

Sound More Native

Use 'jis samay' when telling a story about a specific event to add a narrative 'anchor' to your tale.

Clarity over Speed

Pronounce both words clearly. Don't rush 'jis-samay' into one mumbled sound.

Formal Contexts

In emails or reports, prefer 'jis samay' over 'jab' to maintain a professional tone.

Expanding Time

Once you master 'jis samay', try 'jis din' (which day) or 'jis saal' (which year) using the same logic.

No 'Kab' in Statements

Never use 'kab' to connect two sentences. 'Kab' is only for asking questions.

Precision

Use 'jis samay' when the exact time matters (e.g., an appointment), and 'jab' for generalities (e.g., 'when I'm happy').

Context Clues

If you hear 'jis samay', prepare your brain to hear a second action that happened at that same time.

The 'Which Time' Trick

Translate it as 'the time which' in your head to remember the oblique 'jis'.

Respecting Time

Using 'samay' (a Sanskrit word) often sounds more respectful in formal Indian settings.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jis' as 'Just' and 'Samay' as 'Some-May'. 'Just at some-may (time) that something happened.'

Visual Association

Imagine a clock with a spotlight on one specific second. That spotlighted second is 'jis samay'.

Word Web

Time When Moment Specific Relative Clock History Event

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about your childhood using 'जिस समय' to describe specific memories.

Word Origin

Derived from Old Indo-Aryan. 'Jis' is the oblique form of the relative pronoun 'jo' (from Sanskrit 'yaḥ'). 'Samay' comes directly from the Sanskrit word 'samaya' (समय), meaning 'appointed time, junction, or circumstance'.

Original meaning: The junction or meeting point of circumstances.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

None. It is a neutral, temporal phrase.

English speakers often use 'when' for everything. Hindi's 'jis samay' is more like the formal 'at which time' used in legal or historical English.

The famous speech 'Tryst with Destiny' by Nehru: 'At the stroke of the midnight hour...' (जिस समय आधी रात हुई...) Bollywood song 'Jis Samay Tu Mere Saath Hota Hai' (When you are with me). Mahabharat TV series opening: 'Main Samay Hoon' (I am Time).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Storytelling

जिस समय की बात है
जिस समय राजा निकला
जिस समय युद्ध हुआ
जिस समय वह मिला

Instructions

जिस समय आप बटन दबाएं
जिस समय पानी उबले
जिस समय लाइट जले
जिस समय फॉर्म भरें

History

जिस समय आज़ादी मिली
जिस समय क्रांति हुई
जिस समय मुग़ल आए
जिस समय गांधीजी ने कहा

Daily Planning

जिस समय तुम फ्री हो
जिस समय बस आए
जिस समय लंच हो
जिस समय बारिश रुके

Legal/Formal

जिस समय घटना हुई
जिस समय समझौता हुआ
जिस समय कानून बना
जिस समय गवाह आया

Conversation Starters

"जिस समय आप पहली बार भारत आए, आपको कैसा लगा?"

"जिस समय आपने अपनी पहली नौकरी शुरू की, क्या आप डरे हुए थे?"

"जिस समय बारिश होती है, आप क्या करना पसंद करते हैं?"

"जिस समय आप तनाव में होते हैं, आप खुद को कैसे शांत करते हैं?"

"जिस समय आपको छुट्टी मिलती है, आप कहाँ जाना चाहते हैं?"

Journal Prompts

उस समय के बारे में लिखें जिस समय आपने कुछ नया सीखा और आपको गर्व महसूस हुआ।

जिस समय आप भविष्य के बारे में सोचते हैं, आपको सबसे ज़्यादा क्या उम्मीद दिखती है?

जिस समय आप अकेले होते हैं, आपके मन में क्या विचार आते हैं?

जिस समय आपने कोई बड़ा फैसला लिया, उस समय की परिस्थितियों का वर्णन करें।

जिस समय दुनिया में शांति होगी, वह समय कैसा दिखेगा? अपनी कल्पना लिखें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in most cases you can. 'Jis samay' is just more specific and formal. For example, 'जब तुम आओ' and 'जिस समय तुम आओ' both mean 'When you come,' but the latter sounds more precise.

Yes, but Urdu speakers often prefer 'jis waqt' (जिस वक़्त). Both are understood and used in Hindi-Urdu (Hindustani).

No, it's not mandatory, especially in short sentences. However, using it makes the sentence sound more balanced and grammatically complete.

'Samay' means time, while 'kshan' means moment. 'Jis kshan' is much more specific, referring to a split second.

Yes. 'जिस समय तुम जाओगे' means 'At the time you go (in the future).'

No, it is a phrase consisting of two words: 'jis' (relative pronoun) and 'samay' (noun).

In Hindi, when a relative pronoun is followed by a noun or postposition, it changes to the oblique form. 'Jo' becomes 'jis'.

Very common. It's used to create a romantic or dramatic setting for the lyrics.

Yes, adding 'par' (at/on) is grammatically correct but often omitted as it's implied.

You say 'जिस समय तक' (jis samay tak).