JLPT N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “とき” and “ころ”

Table of Contents
1. Difference between “とき” and “ころ”
2. とき
3. ころ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Can you explain how to differentiate the usage of “とき” and “ころ” ?
A: Both of these refer to a certain period of time, but there are some differences in their meanings and usage.
とき (JLPT N5)
[Rules]
[V] Verb plain form+とき
[A] い adjective+とき
[Na] な adjective+とき
[N] Noun+の+とき
[Examples]
日本では家に入るときくつを脱ぎます。
In Japan, we take off our shoes when entering the house.
彼は忙しいときは連絡をくれません。
He doesn’t contact me when he’s busy.
生活が大変なとき親が助けてくれました。
When life was tough, my parents helped me.
雨のときはたいてい家でゲームします。
When it rains, I usually stay home and play games.
Words that express specific or momentary events or periods, such as “weather,” use “とき.”
Be careful, as “とき” cannot be used with times of the day or days of the week.
[Examples]
〇 晴れのときは近所を散歩します。
When it’s sunny, I take a walk around the neighborhood.
〇 12時に犬にえさをやります。
× 12時のとき犬にえさをやります。
I feed my dog at 12 o’clock.
〇 水曜日に病院へ行きました。
× 水曜日のとき病院へ行きました。
I went to the hospital on Wednesday.
ころ・ごろ (JLPT N5)
[Rules]
[N] Noun+の+ころ
[N] Noun indicating time+ごろ
[Examples]
学生のころは毎日遅くまで遊んでいました。
When I was a student, I used to stay out late every day.
子供のころ、友達とよくこの公園に来ました。
When I was a child, I often came to this park with my friends.
明日10時ごろに会いましょう。
Let’s meet around 10 o’clock tomorrow.
今日は6時ごろに起きました。
I woke up around 6 o’clock today.
When expressing time approximately, the reading changes to “ごろ.”
“とき” cannot be used when indicating specific times of the day.
[Examples]
〇 いつも5時ごろ起きます。
× いつも5時のとき起きます。
I always wake up around 5 o’clock.
この浮世絵は江戸時代中期頃のもののようです。
This ukiyo-e seems to be from around the mid-Edo period.

Let’s study the difference between
“くらい” and “ころ” in this article!
Let’s Compare
“とき” refers to specific, momentary, or clearly defined events or periods.
In contrast, “ころ・ごろ” indicates a general or broader span of time.
[Examples]
日本では家に入るときくつを脱ぎます。
In Japan, we take off our shoes when entering the house.
⇒ This is a specific event, “entering the house.”
桜が咲くころ、またここで会いましょう。
Let’s meet here again around the time when the cherry blossoms bloom.
⇒ Since we don’t know exactly when the cherry blossoms will bloom, it represents a broader period.
In some cases, both “とき” and “ころ” can be used, but their meanings slightly differ.
[Examples]
子供のときアニメが大好きでした。
子供のころアニメが大好きでした。
When I was a child, I loved anime.
⇒ Using “とき” refers to a specific period in childhood, while “ころ” suggests a broader, less specific time.
Summary
[とき]
- It refers to specific and momentary points in time or clearly defined periods.
- It is used with a wide variety of words.
[ころ・ごろ]
- It refers to broader or general periods of time.
- The words used with “ころ/ごろ” are more limited in scope.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. ごろ
会議は10時ごろから始まります。
The meeting will start around 10 o’clock.
“ごろ” is correct because it refers to a specific time.
A. とき
若いときはよく旅行しました。
I often traveled when I was young.
*”とき” is correct. However, using “ころ” here would also be acceptable.
A. とき
台風のときは電車がよく止まる。
Trains often stop during a typhoon.
*”とき” is correct because “typhoon” refers to a specific event.
A. ころ
いつだったか覚えてないけど子供のころ母と大きな遊園地に行きました。
I don’t remember when, but I went to a big amusement park with my mother when I was a child.
*”ころ” is appropriate because the exact period is unclear.
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