当……时 (dāng……shí) – when …, at the time of …

Pattern

• 当 + Event + 时 / 的时候，Clause
• 当 + Event + 之际，Clause

Usage

• A preposition opening a time frame at the start of a sentence: 当……时 / 当……的时候 (when …); more formally 当……之际 (on the occasion of …).
• An event or clause goes inside the frame.

Examples

1. 1

   当公司面临危机时，他主动承担了责任。

   Dāng gōngsī miànlín wēijī shí, tā zhǔdòng chéngdān le zérèn.

   When the company faced a crisis, he took responsibility of his own accord.

2. 2

   他当时正在国外出差，错过了年度会议。

   Tā dāngshí zhèngzài guówài chūchāi, cuòguò le niándù huìyì.

   He was on a business trip abroad at the time and missed the annual meeting.