What is the difference between 頃 and とき?


For example in the sentence below:

> と言うより、うんと若い **頃** は公共の場において、注意される側だったはずです。
>
> Rather, when I was younger I'd expect to be the one getting cautioned in
> public.

How does using 頃 change the meaning from using とき in this sentence and more
generally? Thanks.




By using either 時{とき} or 頃{ころ} you are describing a time relation between (at
least) two events, states, or actions (let's say A and B).

With 時 the relation between A and B is closer like English "when", "while",
"at the time". With 頃 the relation is more vague like English "around the
time", "around".

Just like in English you can also use 頃 to express not only the sheer
relation, but also your attitude (you don't remember exact order of actions or
their relation, our you don't want to provide such information, so you say
"around the time").

With naturally vague expressions ("in youth") 若い頃 or 若い時 it's just a
difference in style.

It does not matter if either A or B is a point in time or a period of time.
However 頃's vagueness creates a span of time in which the relation between A
and B occurs.




By using either 時{とき} or 頃{ころ} you are describing a time relation between (at
least) two events, states, or actions (let's say A and B).

With 時 the relation between A and B is closer like English "when", "while",
"at the time". With 頃 the relation is more vague like English "around the
time", "around".

Just like in English you can also use 頃 to express not only the sheer
relation, but also your attitude (you don't remember exact order of actions or
their relation, our you don't want to provide such information, so you say
"around the time").

With naturally vague expressions ("in youth") 若い頃 or 若い時 it's just a
difference in style.

It does not matter if either A or B is a point in time or a period of time.
However 頃's vagueness creates a span of time in which the relation between A
and B occurs.

