頃【ころ / ごろ】

The word ころ頃 has two main readings – ころ and ごろ – and is used to express an approximate point in time ("around") or a period when something happened ("when," "the time when").

ごろ – Around a specific time

When attached directly to a specific time expression, 頃 is read as ごろ and means "around" or "about" that time.

This usage is limited to points in time – clock times, months, years, seasons, etc. Do not confuse ごろ with ぐらい / くらい: ごろ is for when something happens (a point in time), while ぐらい is for how long or how much (duration or amount).

Compare:

• さんじ3時ごろ = around 3 o'clock (a point in time)
• さん3じかん時間ぐらい = about 3 hours (a duration)

ころ – The time when / back when

When used after nouns + の or verbs in plain form, 頃 is read as ころ and refers to a period or time when something was the case. It often carries a nostalgic or reflective nuance.

With verbs, ころ typically follows the plain past (た form) or plain non-past form:

• Verb[た] + ころ = around the time when something happened
• Verb[dictionary] + ころ = around the time when something happens / is about to happen

ころに vs. ころは

After ころ, you can use different particles to adjust the nuance:

• ころに emphasizes the specific timing of an event.
• ころは sets the scene or topic, often used for describing what things were like during that time.