際に
When, At the time of, In case of, On the occasion of
Explanation
際 is a Japanese noun meaning 'occasion' or 'juncture'. It is a formal way of saying 'when' and is used to refer to a specific, often important, event. It can be translated as 'at the time of (A)', 'on the occasion of (A)', or 'in the event of (A)'. Because it indicates a special or significant situation, it is generally not used for everyday, routine activities.
際に can follow verbs in their plain or past forms. It can also follow nouns, in which case it will be joined using the particle の.
- このイベントに申し込む際には、必ず身分証明書を提示してください。When you apply for this event, please be sure to present your ID.
- エラーが発生した際には、すぐにシステム管理者に連絡してください。In the event of an error, please contact the system administrator immediately.
- 海外出張の際には、パスポートを忘れないようにしてください。Please make sure not to forget your passport when you go on your overseas business trip.
Although (A) is often a single, specific event, 際に is not restricted to one-time occurrences. It can describe regularly occurring situations, particularly when giving instructions or explaining a procedure that must be followed during that situation.
- お客様を案内する際に、何か気をつけるべき点はありますか。Are there any points I should be aware of when showing customers around?
- この機械を操作する際には、安全ゴーグルを着用してください。When operating this machine, please wear safety goggles.
Caution
While 際に and 時に can sometimes be interchangeable, 際に sounds unnatural when used for common, habitual actions that are always performed in the same way.
- 日本では食事を始める時にいただきますと言う。In Japan, people say 'itadakimasu' when they start a meal. (Natural Japanese)
- 日本では食事を始める際にいただきますと言う。In Japan, people say 'itadakimasu' when they start a meal. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
ホテルに到着する際には、フロントでパスポートを提示してください。
When you arrive at the hotel, please present your passport at the front desk.
イベントのお申し込みの際には、必ず連絡先をご記入ください。
When applying for the event, please be sure to fill in your contact information.
避難の際には、エレベーターを使わず、階段を利用してください。
In case of an evacuation, please use the stairs and not the elevator.
会議の際に配られた資料は、後でメールでも送ります。
I will send the documents that were distributed during the meeting by email later.
美術館で写真を撮る際には、フラッシュを使わないでください。
When taking photos in the art museum, please do not use flash.
大学を卒業する際に、先生から貴重なアドバイスをいただいた。
I received some valuable advice from my teacher when I was graduating from university.
図書館のご利用の際には、飲食はご遠慮ください。
Please refrain from eating and drinking when using the library.
運動の際に怪我をしないように、しっかり準備体操をしましょう。
Let's warm up properly so that we don't get injured when exercising.
機械の故障など、何かお困りの際には、こちらのボタンを押してください。
In the event that you have any trouble, such as a machine malfunction, please press this button.
去年日本へ出張した際に、多くの新しい取引先と出会うことができた。
When I went to Japan on a business trip last year, I was able to meet many new clients.
お客様からのご質問：「商品を返品したいのですが、レシートをなくしてしまいました。」
店の対応：「その際は、ご購入に使われたクレジットカードをお持ちください。」
Customer Inquiry: 'I would like to return an item, but I have lost the receipt.'
Store's Response: 'In that case, please bring the credit card that was used for the purchase.'
引っ越しの際にたくさんの不要品を処分したので、部屋がすっきりした。
I got rid of a lot of unnecessary items when I moved, so my room feels much tidier.