生まれた時
Umareta toki
The Japanese phrase for "when you were born" is 生まれた時 (Umareta toki).
This phrase refers to the time or period of a person's birth. In Japanese, the subject "you" is often omitted from this phrase if the context makes it clear who is being discussed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the past tense verb umareta (was born) and the noun toki (time/when).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the plain past form of the verb to modify the noun toki, creating a relative clause that functions as "the time when [subject] was born".
How do you pronounce it?
Umareta toki
Did you know?
- The word toki is a cognate of the word 'time' in several other languages through ancient roots, but in Japanese it also refers to a specific species of crested ibis, the toki, which is a national treasure.
- To ask 'When were you born?' in a polite way, Japanese speakers often avoid the direct verb and instead ask tanjoubi wa itsu desu ka, which literally means 'When is your birthday'.
- The verb umareru (to be born) shares a phonetic connection to the concept of 'to emerge' or 'to come out', reflecting the physical act of birth.
Examples in context
- 生まれた年月日はいつですか。When were you born?
- 私が生まれた時は、昭和でした。Watashi ga umareta toki wa, Showa deshita.When I was born, it was the Showa era.
- 妹が生まれた時、とても嬉しかったです。Imouto ga umareta toki, totemo ureshikatta desu.I was very happy when my younger sister was born.
- 彼が生まれた時は、雪が降っていました。Kare ga umareta toki wa, yuki ga futte imashita.When he was born, it was snowing.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking at an old photo album.
- 美咲 Misakiこの写真はあなたが生まれた時のものよ。kono shashin wa anata ga umareta toki no mono yoThis photo is from when you were born.
- 健太 Kentaへえ、僕はこんな顔をしていたんだね。hee, boku wa konna kao o shite ita n da neWow, so this is what I looked like.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に小さくて可愛かったわよ。hontō ni chīsakute kawaikatta wa yoYou were really small and cute.
- 健太 Kenta教えてくれてありがとう、美咲さん。oshiete kurete arigatō, Misaki-sanThanks for telling me, Misaki.
