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The word "当" (dāng) is commonly used in Chinese to indicate a specific time or condition when something occurs. It can be translated as "when" in English and is often used to introduce temporal clauses that describe the timing of an action or event.
In the example sentences provided:
当他进来的时候，我们正在看电视。
(When he came in, we were watching TV.)
Here, "当" introduces the time frame of "when he came in," indicating that the action of watching TV was ongoing at that moment.
当爸爸回来的时候，妈妈已经做好晚饭了。
(When Dad came back, Mom had already prepared dinner.)
In this case, "当" sets the stage for the action of Dad returning, while the clause that follows indicates that Mom's action of preparing dinner was completed before that moment.
In both examples, "当" effectively links two actions in time, allowing the speaker to convey the relationship between them. It is important to note that "当" can be used with various tenses, and the context will clarify the timing of the actions involved.