cuando nací
/kwando naθi/from spelling rules
The English phrase "when I was born" is translated into Spanish as cuando nací.
cuando nací is used to refer to the specific time or event of a person's birth. For more formal contexts, you might use En el momento de mi nacimiento to explicitly refer to the moment of birth or the more formal expression Al venir al mundo, which conveys the idea of coming into the world. Another related expression is Desde que vine al mundo, which emphasizes the act of coming into the world.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the conjunction cuando (when) and the first-person singular preterite form of the verb nacer (to be born).
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the imperfect tense cuando nacía instead of the preterite nací is grammatically incorrect for a single point in time like a birth, as the preterite is required for completed actions in the past.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the imperfect tense cuando nacía to describe your birth. Instead, use the preterite cuando nací to correctly indicate the completed event.
Did you know?
- The word nacer shares a root with the English word 'nascent', which describes something just coming into existence.
- While cuando nací refers to the event, the phrase de nacimiento is used as an adjective to describe a trait someone has had since birth, such as es así de nacimiento.
- The verb nacer can also be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe the emergence of an idea or a feeling, much like the English 'to be born' or 'to arise'.
Examples in context
- Cuando nací, mis padres estaban emocionados y felices.When I was born, my parents were excited and happy.
- Cuando yo nací, mis hermanos estaban muy emocionados.When I was born, my siblings were very excited.
- Desde que vine al mundo, he disfrutado de las pequeñas cosas de la vida.Since I came into the world, I have enjoyed the little things in life.
- Cuando nací en el hermoso pueblo de Guadalajara, mis abuelos lloraron de alegría.When I was born in the beautiful town of Guadalajara, my grandparents cried tears of joy.
- Recuerdo cuando nací, recibí un regalo especial de mi tía.I remember when I was born, I received a special gift from my aunt.
- Cuando nací, era invierno.When I was born, it was winter.
- No recuerdo nada de cuando nací.I don't remember anything from when I was born.
- Todo era diferente cuando nací.Everything was different when I was born.
- Mi madre dice que llovía cuando nací.My mother says it was raining when I was born.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at an old family photo album.
- Alejandro¿Sabes qué día era cuando nací?Do you know what day it was when I was born?
- MaríaNo estoy segura, Alejandro.I am not sure, Alejandro.
- AlejandroMi abuelo dice que fue un domingo.My grandfather says it was a Sunday.
- MaríaEso suena muy interesante.That sounds very interesting.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
