Both expressions introduce a situation, but they focus on different things.
The idea
とき locates an event in time; 場合 presents a case, often in instructions. Use a plain verb or い-adjective, な after a な-adjective, and の after a noun. 行くとき can place an action before departure; 行ったとき places it after arrival.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| 行くとき | 出発前 |
| 行ったとき | 到着後 |
| 雨の場合 | 条件 |
Examples
- 日本に行くとき、辞書を持っていきます。When I go to Japan, I will take a dictionary.
- 日本に行ったとき、辞書を買いました。When I went to Japan, I bought a dictionary.
- 子どものとき、よく泳ぎました。When I was a child, I often swam.
- 雨の場合は、試合を中止します。In case of rain, we will cancel the match.
- 遅れる場合は、連絡してください。If you will be late, please contact us.
- 静かな場合でも、声を小さくしてください。Even if it is quiet, please keep your voice down.
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Watch out
Both can sometimes fit the same situation. 場合 sounds more formal and conditional; it does not simply mean a point in time. Verb tense before とき is relative to the main action.
Try it yourself
子どもの＿＿、よく泳ぎました。（とき／場合）
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とき
とき identifies the time in childhood when the habit occurred.
雨の＿＿は、試合を中止します。（とき／場合）
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場合
場合 presents rain as a condition for cancelling the match.
日本に行＿＿とき、辞書を買いました。（く／った）
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った
った gives 行ったとき: the purchase took place after arrival.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
子どもの＿＿、よく泳ぎました。（とき／場合）
雨の＿＿は、試合を中止します。（とき／場合）
日本に行＿＿とき、辞書を買いました。（く／った）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe a childhood habit, a plan for rain and something you bought on a trip.