dime cuándo
/dime kwando/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tell me when" is translated into Spanish as dime cuándo.
This phrase is used to request that someone notify you at the moment a specific event occurs or a certain time is reached.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter other variations such as Avísame cuando or Déjame saber cuándo, which both translate more closely to "let me know when".
How does it change in a sentence?
To shift from an informal to a formal context, you change the verb form from dime cuándo to dígame cuándo.
Did you know?
- The word cuándo shares an ancient linguistic ancestor with the English word 'cue', as both stem from the Latin 'quandō'.
- Using déjame saber as a way to say 'let me know when' is a linguistic import from English that is specifically gaining popularity in Latin American dialects.
- In Spanish, requesting that someone 'tell me when' something happens in the future requires a specific grammatical shift called the subjunctive mood for the following verb.
Examples in context
- Dime cuándo vuelve Tom.Tell me when Tom will be back.This example shows how to use dime cuándo to ask about someone's return.Tatoeba #7863623 by Seael, translation #6687988 by CK
- Dime cuándo te vas a ir.Tell me when you're going to leave.This example uses dime cuándo to ask about someone's departure.Tatoeba #7848493 by Seael, translation #7610694 by robot_fury
- Por favor dime cuándo tengo que irme.Please tell me when to leave.This example uses dime cuándo to request instruction on when to leave.Tatoeba #2285712 by Shishir, translation #66000 by CK
- Señor, cuénteme cuándo está disponible para una reuniónSir/Mr., tell me when you are available for a meeting
- Dime cuándo quieres que te recojaTell me when you want me to pick you up
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are planning a phone call later.
- JavierElena, dime cuándo estés lista.Elena, tell me when you are ready.
- ElenaEstá bien, te llamaré en un rato.Okay, I will call you in a little while.
- JavierPerfecto, estaré esperando.Perfect, I will be waiting.
- ElenaGracias, Javier.Thanks, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuándo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
