A2 · Elementary Chapter 4

Talking About Time and Sequences

6 Total Rules
62 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the flow of time and sequence to tell engaging stories in Japanese.

  • Label your weekly schedule using the elements.
  • Anchor your daily activities with precise relative time markers.
  • Connect multiple events into fluid, chronological narratives.
Master time, master the story.

What You'll Learn

Hey there, language explorer! Ready to take your Japanese conversations to the next level? You've already mastered expressing actions, and now it's time to put them in order. Think of this chapter as your personal time-travel guide! We'll start by making sure you know your weekdays cold – from fiery Tuesdays to watery Wednesdays – using the fun Yōbi system. Then, you'll grab hold of crucial 'floating' time markers like 'today,' 'yesterday,' and 'tomorrow' (kyō, kinō, asu) that effortlessly anchor your conversations in the present without needing any tricky particles. But here's where it gets really exciting: you'll learn how to perfectly sequence events. Want to say 'Before eating lunch, I studied'? We've got mae ni for that! Or perhaps, 'After watching the movie, I slept'? That's where ~ato de comes in. You'll quickly see how these simple structures let you link complex ideas. We'll then introduce Toki (when/time), a versatile connector that helps you specify if something happens *before/during* an action (with Dictionary Form) or *after* it (with Ta-form). And finally, you'll discover aida (～間), the perfect tool for describing actions that happen *while* or *during* an entire period, without interruption. Imagine setting up a meeting with a Japanese colleague, or recounting your amazing travel itinerary: 'First we visited the temple, then we ate sushi.' Or simply telling a friend about your day, 'While I was cooking, I listened to music.' These are the skills that make your stories clear and your plans precise! By the end of this chapter, you won't just know words; you'll be able to effortlessly narrate sequences of events, plan your schedule, and describe durations like a pro. Get ready to add some serious temporal fluency to your Japanese toolkit. Let's dive in!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use relative time markers and sequence connectors to describe a daily routine.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Hey there, language explorer! Ready to take your Japanese conversations to the next level? You've already mastered expressing actions, and now it's time to put them in order. This chapter is your personal time-travel guide, unlocking the secrets of Japanese grammar A2 for talking about when things happen and in what sequence. Mastering temporal expressions is crucial for clear communication, whether you're planning your week or recounting a story. You'll learn essential building blocks like the Yōbi system for days of the week, and floating time markers such as kyō (today), kinō (yesterday), and asu (tomorrow), which effortlessly anchor your conversations without needing tricky particles.
But here's where it gets really exciting: you'll learn how to perfectly sequence events. Want to say 'Before eating lunch, I studied'? We've got mae ni for that! Or perhaps, 'After watching the movie, I slept'? That's where ~ato de comes in. You'll quickly see how these simple structures let you link complex ideas. We'll then introduce Toki (when/time), a versatile connector that helps you specify if something happens *before/during* an action (with Dictionary Form) or *after* it (with Ta-form). And finally, you'll discover aida (～間), the perfect tool for describing actions that happen *while* or *during* an entire period, without interruption. By the end of this chapter, you won't just know words; you'll be able to effortlessly narrate sequences of events, plan your schedule, and describe durations like a pro. Get ready to add some serious temporal fluency to your Japanese grammar toolkit.

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the core of A2 Japanese temporal expressions. First, you'll master the Days of the Week: The 7 Elements (Yōbi). Each day ends with ~yōbi (曜日) and starts with a kanji representing an element or celestial body: Getsuyōbi (月曜日 - Monday, Moon), Kayōbi (火曜日 - Tuesday, Fire), Suiyōbi (水曜日 - Wednesday, Water), Mokuyōbi (木曜日 - Thursday, Wood), Kinyōbi (金曜日 - Friday, Gold), Doyōbi (土曜日 - Saturday, Earth), and Nichiyōbi (日曜日 - Sunday, Sun). For instance, Getsuyōbi ni shigoto ga arimasu (月曜日に仕事があります - I have work on Monday).
Next, we have Japanese Relative Time: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (今日, 昨日, 明日). Words like kyō (今日 - today), kinō (昨日 - yesterday), and asu (明日 - tomorrow) are special. They usually don't need the particle ni (に) when used as time markers, making them very convenient. For example, Kyō, eiga o mimasu (今日、映画を見ます - Today, I will watch a movie).
To sequence actions, we use Before Doing X (Mae ni) and Japanese Sequence: "After" doing X (~ato de). To say "before doing X," attach mae ni (前に) to the dictionary form of a verb: Bangohan o taberu mae ni shukudai o shimashita (晩ご飯を食べる前に宿題をしました - Before eating dinner, I did my homework). For "after doing X," attach ~ato de (～後で) to the ta-form of a verb: Eiga o mita ato de, neru (映画を見た後で、寝る - After watching the movie, I'll sleep).
The versatile Using Toki (When/Time) to Connect Sentences allows you to specify the timing of an action. When describing an action that happens *before or during* another, use the dictionary form + toki (時). Nihon ni iku toki, kamera o kaimasu (日本に行く時、カメラを買います - When I go to Japan, I'll buy a camera). When describing an action that happens *after* another, use the ta-form + toki: Kodomo no toki, yoku asobimashita (子供の時、よく遊びました - When I was a child, I played a lot).
Finally, for actions that occur *while* or *during* an entire period, use Japanese Grammar: Using ～間 (aida) for 'While' and 'During'. Attach aida (間) to the dictionary form of a verb or a noun (often with no). Watashi ga ryouri o suru aida, ongaku o kikimashita (私が料理をする間、音楽を聞きました - While I was cooking, I listened to music).

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 今日にデパートへ行きます。(Kyō ni depāto e ikimasu.)
✓ Correct: 今日デパートへ行きます。(Kyō depāto e ikimasu.)
*Explanation:* Relative time words like kyō (today), kinō (yesterday), and asu (tomorrow) generally do not require the particle ni (に) when indicating "on/at this day."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 映画を見ます後で、寝ます。(Eiga o mimasu ato de, nemasu.)
✓ Correct: 映画を見た後で、寝ます。(Eiga o mita ato de, nemasu.)
*Explanation:* When using ~ato de (～後で) to mean "after doing X," the verb preceding it must be in its plain past (ta-form), not the polite present tense (masu-form).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 勉強する間、テレビを見ました。(Benkyō suru aida, terebi o mimashita.)
✓ Correct: 勉強している間、テレビを見ました。(Benkyō shiteiru aida, terebi o mimashita.)
*Explanation:* While aida (間) can follow a dictionary form, if you want to emphasize an action *in progress* or *continuous* during that period, the ~teiru form is often more natural and accurate. The wrong example implies "during the period of studying," while the correct one implies "while I was in the act of studying."

Real Conversations

A

A

今日の夜、何をする予定ですか？ (Kyō no yoru, nani o suru yotei desu ka?) (What are your plans for tonight?)
B

B

仕事が終わった後で、友達とご飯を食べに行きます。 (Shigoto ga owatta ato de, tomodachi to gohan o tabe ni ikimasu.) (After work finishes, I'm going to eat with friends.)
A

A

日本にいる間、どこに行きたいですか？ (Nihon ni iru aida, doko ni ikitai desu ka?) (While you're in Japan, where do you want to go?)
B

B

京都に行く前に、東京でショッピングがしたいです。 (Kyōto ni iku mae ni, Tōkyō de shoppingu ga shitai desu.) (Before going to Kyoto, I want to do some shopping in Tokyo.)
A

A

子供の時、どんな遊びが好きでしたか？ (Kodomo no toki, donna asobi ga suki deshita ka?) (What kind of games did you like when you were a child?)
B

B

外で遊ぶのが好きでした。 (Soto de asobu no ga suki deshita.) (I liked playing outside.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I say "before" and "after" an action in Japanese?

For "before doing X," use the dictionary form of the verb followed by mae ni (前に). For "after doing X," use the ta-form of the verb followed by ~ato de (～後で).

Q

What's the difference between toki and aida in Japanese grammar?

Toki (時) means "when" or "at the time of" and can refer to a specific point or period. Aida (間) specifically means "while" or "during" and implies a continuous action or state throughout a period.

Q

Do I need particles with "today" or "tomorrow" in Japanese?

No, typically not. Words like kyō (今日 - today), kinō (昨日 - yesterday), and asu (明日 - tomorrow) usually act as adverbs and do not require particles like ni (に) when indicating when something happens.

Q

Can I use ~ato de with nouns?

Yes, you can! When using ~ato de (～後で) with a noun, you simply add no (の) between the noun and ato de. For example, shigoto no ato de (仕事の後で - after work).

Cultural Context

In Japanese communication, precision about time and sequence is highly valued, especially in professional settings or when making plans. Using these grammar patterns correctly demonstrates respect for others' schedules and ensures clarity. The Yōbi system is fundamental, and you'll hear it daily. While directness is common, polite language often accompanies these time expressions, ensuring smooth social interactions. Mastering these temporal expressions will significantly enhance your ability to participate in daily conversations and plan effectively.

Key Examples (8)

1

Nichiyōbi ni kaimono ni ikimasu.

I go shopping on Sunday.

Days of the Week: The 7 Elements (Yōbi)
2

Kinyōbi wa saikō desu!

Friday is the best!

Days of the Week: The 7 Elements (Yōbi)
3

Kyō wa shigoto ni ikimasen.

I am not going to work today.

Japanese Relative Time: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (今日, 昨日, 明日)
4

Kinō, Netflix de anime o mimashita.

I watched anime on Netflix yesterday.

Japanese Relative Time: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (今日, 昨日, 明日)
5

Neru mae ni, sumaho o juuden shimasu.

I charge my smartphone before I go to sleep.

Before Doing X (Mae ni)
6

Eiga o miru mae ni, poppukoon o kaimashita.

I bought popcorn before watching the movie.

Before Doing X (Mae ni)
7

Bangohan o tabeta ato de, geemu o shimashou.

Let's play games after we eat dinner.

Japanese Sequence: "After" doing X (～ato de)
8

Shigoto no ato de, nomi ni ikanai?

Want to go for a drink after work?

Japanese Sequence: "After" doing X (～ato de)

Tips & Tricks (4)

🎯

Calendar Abbreviation

On Japanese calendars, days are often just one character in parentheses: ({月}), ({火}), ({水}).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Days of the Week: The 7 Elements (Yōbi)
💡

Topic Particle

Use 'wa' after time words to emphasize the time.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Relative Time: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (今日, 昨日, 明日)
⚠️

The Tense Trap

Never use the past tense (ta-form) before mae ni. It feels naturally wrong in Japanese, like saying 'I goed' in English.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Before Doing X (Mae ni)
💡

Past Tense Only

Always check if your verb is in the past tense before adding 'ato de'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Sequence: "After" doing X (～ato de)

Key Vocabulary (6)

月曜日(げつようび) Monday 今日(きょう) Today 食べる(たべる) to eat 映画(えいが) movie 時(とき) time/when 勉強(べんきょう) study

Real-World Preview

coffee

Making Weekend Plans

Review Summary

  • Day + 曜日(ようび)
  • 今日/昨日/明日
  • Verb (Dict) + 前(まえ)に
  • Verb (Ta) + 後(あと)で
  • Verb (Dict/Ta) + 時(とき)
  • Verb (Dict) + 間(あいだ)

Common Mistakes

You must use the dictionary form (present) for 'before' clauses, not the past tense.

Wrong: 食(た)べた前(まえ)に
Correct: 食(た)べる前(まえ)に

You must use the Ta-form (past) for 'after' clauses because the action must be completed first.

Wrong: 食(た)べる後(あと)で
Correct: 食(た)べた後(あと)で

Time words like 'tomorrow' do not take the particle 'ni' because they are relative, not fixed points.

Wrong: 明日(あした)に映画(えいが)を見(み)ます
Correct: 明日(あした)映画(えいが)を見(み)ます

Next Steps

You've conquered the clock! Keep practicing these sequences, and you'll be telling stories in Japanese in no time.

Write a 5-sentence diary entry about yesterday.

Continue to: Desires, Intentions, and Mannerisms

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {明日|あした}は{行|い}きます
Future tense.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Relative Time: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (今日, 昨日, 明日)

Fill in the correct form.

{食べる|たべる} ___ {時|とき}、手を洗います。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: たべる
Dictionary form is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using Toki (When/Time) to Connect Sentences

Fill in the blank with the correct form.

{夏|なつ} ___ 間、{日本|にほん}にいました。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Nouns need 'no' before 'aida'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: Using ～間 (aida) for 'While' and 'During'

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

{今日|きょう}に{勉強|べんきょう}します。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {今日|きょう}は{勉強|べんきょう}します
No 'ni'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Relative Time: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (今日, 昨日, 明日)

Fill in the blank.

食べた___、寝ます。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: あとで
Ato de is the correct sequence marker.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Sequence: "After" doing X (～ato de)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

{会議|かいぎ}前に資料を読みます。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {会議|かいぎ}の前に
Nouns need 'no'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Before Doing X (Mae ni)

Choose the correct verb form.

{本|ほん}を ___ 間、{寝|ね}ました。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Use dictionary form for 'aida'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: Using ～間 (aida) for 'While' and 'During'

Fill in the blank.

{昨日|きのう}は{何|なに}を___か？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: しました
Past tense required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Relative Time: Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow (今日, 昨日, 明日)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {食べる|たべる}前に
Dictionary form is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Before Doing X (Mae ni)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {暇|ひま}な {時|とき}
Na-adjectives need 'na'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using Toki (When/Time) to Connect Sentences

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It is a suffix meaning 'day of the luminary'.
No, {月|げつ} is just the moon. {月曜日|げつようび} is Monday.
No, never use 'ni' with 'Kyo', 'Kino', or 'Ashita'.
'Ashita' is for daily life, 'asu' is for formal/news.
No, you must use the dictionary form. The tense of the sentence is determined by the final verb.
Use 'no' before 'mae ni'. For example, '{会議|かいぎ}の前に'.
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