時間・時点N2
〜際(は)、〜際に(は)
when... / on the occasion of...
Structure
V-辞書形/た形 + 際(に)は;N + の + 際(に)は
Explanation
Means "when / on the occasion of", more formal and literary than 〜とき; often used in official contexts. Attached to the dictionary/ta-form of verbs or noun + の. 〜際は is followed by requests or confirmations; 〜際に(は) marks the time of an action.
Examples
ご利用の際は、こちらのボタンを押してください。
When using this, please press this button.
卒業の際に、先生に感謝の手紙を書いた。
At graduation, I wrote a thank-you letter to my teacher.
Note
際 is more formal than とき. 〜際は often goes with requests like ください. 〜際には adds emphasis.