What it means
（の）頃 means “around the time of” or “when.” It refers to a general period rather than one exact moment. It commonly follows a noun with の, a verb in the plain non-past form, or a verb in the plain past form. With a noun, it describes a period in someone's life or a particular time period; with a verb, it describes the time around an event or situation.
Usage note
頃 gives an approximate time and is often broader than とき, which can refer to a specific occasion. With verbs, the non-past form usually refers to the time when an event is expected or about to happen, while the past form refers to the time around or after an event happened.
How to use it
子どもの頃、祖父の家で本をよく読みました。
When I was a child, I often read books at my grandfather's house.
春が来る頃、庭の花が咲き始めます。
Around the time spring comes, the flowers in the garden begin to bloom.
日本に来た頃、漢字がまだあまり読めませんでした。
Around the time I came to Japan, I still could not read kanji very well.
子どもの頃、祖父の家で本をよく読んだ。
When I was a child, I often read books at my grandfather's house.
春が来る頃、庭の花が咲き始める。
Around the time spring comes, the flowers in the garden begin to bloom.
日本に来た頃、漢字がまだあまり読めなかった。
Around the time I came to Japan, I still could not read kanji very well.
Example sentences
大学生の頃、毎朝図書館で新聞を読んでいました。
When I was a university student, I read the newspaper at the library every morning.
小学生の頃、夏休みになると祖父の畑で野菜を取りました。
When I was in elementary school, I picked vegetables in my grandfather's field whenever summer vacation began.
私は高校生の頃