Questions & Answers about xiàyǔ de shíhou, tā chángcháng zài jiā kàn shū.
Why is 的 used in 下雨的时候? Why not 地 or 得?
Because 的 turns the preceding clause into a modifier of a noun. Here, 下雨的 modifies the noun 时候 to mean “the time when it rains.”
- 的: links a modifier to a noun (下雨的 时候).
- 地: makes an adverb before a verb (高兴地 看书).
- 得: follows a verb to introduce a complement (看得 很认真). Don’t drop 的 here; 下雨时候 sounds unnatural.
Can I say 下雨时 instead of 下雨的时候?
Yes. 下雨时 is a shorter, slightly more formal/literary version. In everyday speech, 下雨的时候 is more common. Both are correct.
Do I need 在 before 下雨的时候? Is 在下雨的时候 okay?
Both 下雨的时候 and 在下雨的时候 are acceptable. 在 adds a “during/at the time of” feel but is usually unnecessary; the shorter form is more natural in speech.
Can I move 下雨的时候 after the subject? (e.g., 她下雨的时候常常在家看书)
Avoid that. 她下雨的时候… literally reads as “when she rains,” which is semantically wrong. Keep the time clause first: 下雨的时候，她常常在家看书。 If you really want it after the subject, use a preposition: 她在下雨的时候常常在家看书 (grammatical but wordy).
Where does 常常 go? Could I say 她在家常常看书?