わるい こと を する とき、サングラス を かける。
warui koto o suru toki, sangurasu o kakeru.
When I do bad things, I wear sunglasses.
It’s like when you hit a lick or make a move. This ain’t just about time; it’s about a specific situation or a moment when something else goes down. You use it to say, “when this happens, that’s what’s up.” It connects two clauses, showing that the second event happens at the time of the first one. It’s the “when” of a situation, not just the time on the clock. It’s like, “when the cops pull up, you gotta dip out.” You feel me? It’s the rule of the streets.
Listen up, this ain’t complicated. It’s like loadin’ a clip—you just gotta know where each round goes.
| Conjugation | English Example |
| Noun + の + とき | こどものとき kodomo no toki when I was a kid |
| い-adjective + とき | さむいとき samui toki when it’s cold |
| な-adjective + な + とき | ひまなとき hima na toki when I’m free |
| Verb (dictionary form) + とき | いくとき iku toki when I go |
| Verb (た-form) + とき | いったとき itta toki when I went |
You see how it breaks down? For them verbs, you just slap on 〜とき right after the dictionary form if it’s somethin’ that’s gon’ happen. Like, いく とき (iku toki), “when I go.” If it already went down, you gotta use that past tense た-form, like いった とき (itta toki), “when I went.” For them nouns, you gotta add that little の (no), like a little lock on the safe. For the adjectives, if it ends with an ‘i’, you just let it ride, but if it’s a ‘na’ adjective, you gotta put that な (na) right before とき, like a special key to unlock the meaning. It’s all ’bout gettin’ the right combination.
Think of とき (toki) like the getaway driver. The first part of the sentence is the robbery itself, the main action, the lick. The second part is the escape plan. The getaway driver (とき) waits outside and makes sure the two events are connected. He’s the link between the hustle and the hustle’s outcome. He’s the crucial part that lets you know “when the bank is hit, we gettin’ out of here.” You can’t have one without the other, and とき is the homie that makes it all happen.
Alright, let’s get you up to speed with the street talk. These are the words you need to keep your head in the game.
きけん な (kiken na)
English: Dangerous; hazardous.
This word is about anything that ain’t safe, you feel me? Like, a drug deal that could go sideways, a neighborhood you don’t wanna be caught in after dark, or a cat with a rep for runnin’ his mouth to the feds. If it’s risky, if it can get you bagged or even worse, it’s kiken. Straight up.
ねむい (nemui)
English: Sleepy.
When you been up all night, hustlin’ hard, makin’ moves, and the sun starts creepin’ up, you ain’t got no energy. Your eyes feel heavy, your mind is hazy, and all you wanna do is hit the sack. That right there? That’s nemui. It’s that feeling when you’re bout to nod off right where you stand.
こぶん (kobun)
English: Henchman; follower; apprentice.
Every boss needs a crew, right? A loyal dude who holds you down, takes orders, and ain’t gonna flip when things get hot. That’s a kobun. He’s your right-hand man, your soldier. He ain’t the kingpin, but he’s part of the mob, puttin’ in work and stayin’ true to the game.
けいさつかん (keisatsukan)
English: Police officer; cop.
This is the po-po, the five-o, the fuzz. The dude in the uniform who’s out there tryin’ to shut down the operation. He’s the one you gotta watch out for, the one who’ll try to put you behind bars and throw away the key. He’s the keisatsukan, and he ain’t your friend.
よっぱらう (yopparau)
English: To get drunk.
After a long week of grindin’ and stackin’ paper, you gotta unwind, you feel me? You hit the spot, pop some bottles, and just let loose. When you been sippin’ on that good stuff and you start feelin’ wavy, like the room is spinnin’, that’s yopparau. You ain’t sober no more, you’re feelin’ good and gone.
Check it. Here’s how you use 〜とき in the real world. Pay attention to the situations, ’cause you never know when this knowledge might save your life.
ボス が おこった とき 、 だれも はなしません。
bosu ga okotta toki, daremo hanashimasen.
When the boss gets mad, nobody says a word.
あぶない とき 、 じゅう を つかいます。
abunai toki, juu o tsukaimasu.
When it’s dangerous, I’ll use my piece.
ひま な とき 、 カジノ に いきます。
hima na toki, kajino ni ikimasu.
When I’m free, I’m hittin’ the casino.
かね が ない とき 、 さけ は のみません。
kane ga nai toki, sake wa nomimasen.
When I ain’t got money, I ain’t drinkin’.
わかい とき 、 たくさん ぬすみました。
wakai toki, takusan nusumimasita.
When I was young, I stole a lot.
よっぱらった とき 、 けんか を します。
yopparatta toki, kenka o shimasu.
When I’m drunk, I’m startin’ fights.
けいさつかん が きた とき 、 かくれました。
keisatsukan ga kita toki, kakuremasita.
When the cops rolled up, I hid.
こぶん の とき 、 ぜんぶ の しごと を しました。
kobun no toki, zenbu no shigoto o shimasita.
When I was a foot soldier, I did all the dirty work.
ねむい とき 、 コーヒー を のみます。
nemui toki, koohii o nomimasu.
When I’m tired, I’m drinkin’ coffee.
きけん な とき 、 たすけてください。
kiken na toki, tasukete kudasai.
When it’s dangerous, help a brother out.
Aight, that’s the lesson for today. Stay dangerous, but more importantly, stay smart. Holla at me if you need to know more. Peace.
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