-(으)ㄹ 때
Quick answer: -(으)ㄹ 때 means when — the time at which something happens.
How to form it
No final consonant → -ㄹ 때 · final consonant → -을 때 · 있다 → 있을 때
In Korean: 받침 X → -ㄹ 때 받침 O → -을 때 있다 → 있을 때
What to know
때 is a noun meaning time, so -(으)ㄹ 때 is literally the time at which. It covers both when I do and while I am doing — Korean does not split those the way English does.
Examples
- 시간이 있을 때 사진을 찍어요.When I have time I take photos.
- 바쁠 때 요리를 안 해요.When I'm busy I don't cook.
- 학교에 갈 때 지하철로 가요.When I go to school I take the subway.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 25: 시간이 있을 때 뭐 해요? — What do you do in your free time?. Also in the Level 1 book.
Practise -(으)ㄹ 때 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 25 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.