What it means
ころ and ごろ mean “around” or “about” a point in time. They are attached to a time expression to give an approximate time, or to a phrase describing a period in someone’s life. ころ commonly appears in expressions such as のころ and after a plain-form verb, while ごろ is especially common after clock times and other specific time expressions. The approximation is not exact, so 三時ごろ can mean somewhat before or after three o’clock.
Usage note
ころ and ごろ are not polite endings. Sentence politeness must be expressed separately, such as with a plain predicate or a ます-form predicate. Do not confuse this use with ころに, which emphasizes the time when an event occurs and normally takes に when the sentence requires that particle.
How to use it
彼は学生のころ、毎朝自転車で学校へ通いました。
When he was a student, he went to school by bicycle every morning.
春が来るころ、庭の花が咲き始めます。
Around the time spring arrives, the flowers in the garden begin to bloom.
三時ごろ、母は夕食を作りました。
At around three o’clock, my mother made dinner.
彼は学生のころ、毎朝自転車で学校へ通った。
When he was a student, he went to school by bicycle every morning.
春が来るころ、庭の花が咲き始める。
Around the time spring arrives, the flowers in the garden begin to bloom.
三時ごろ、母は夕食を作った。
At around three o’clock, my mother made dinner.