þā
The Old English word for "when" is expressed as þā or þonne.
Meaning: as soon as, at the time that (conj)
Ways to say it
| Old English | IPA |
|---|---|
| þā | |
| þonne | /ˈθon.ne/ |
Both þā and þonne serve as conjunctions meaning "as soon as" or "at the time that" to link clauses together. If you need to ask a direct question such as "at what time?", use the interrogative adverb hwonne instead.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two forms depends on the tense of the subordinate clause. Use þā when referring to a completed action in the past. Use þonne when the clause refers to a present or future time.
Related words
Did you know?
- The letter þ in þā and þonne is called 'thorn'. It was created by adapting a Runic alphabet character to the Latin alphabet to represent the 'th' sound.
- Old English used different words for 'when' depending on whether the event was a one-time occurrence or a repeated habit. This distinction is entirely lost in modern English.
- In Old English poetry, words like þā were often placed at the start of a sentence to signal a transition to a new scene, acting almost like a cinematic cut in modern film.
Examples in context
- Ic wæs buton tīen wintra eald þā mīn mōdor dēad wæs.I was only ten years old when my mother died.This sentence shows the use of þā to describe a past event.Tatoeba #13856319 by rul, translation #13847153 by rul
- Ċildru oft wītaþ hīe selfe, þonne hiera fæder and mōdor tōdǣlde bēoþ.Children often blame themselves when their parents divorce.This sentence demonstrates the use of þonne for a present or general situation.Tatoeba #13908637 by rul, translation #2820190 by patgfisher
- Ne mæg man ēaþelīċe nīwe eorðan bycġan, þonne sēo ealde forspilled biþ.It's not possible to just buy a new Earth when we break the old one.This sentence illustrates the use of þonne for a future or conditional situation.Tatoeba #13902977 by rul, translation #11802647 by shekitten
- ÐonneWhen
Example conversation
Eadric and Eadgyth are talking about her brother, who arrived during dinner.
- EadricHwonne cōm þīn brōðor?When did your brother come?
- EadgythHē cōm þā wē ǣton.He came when we were eating.
- EadricHwǣr is hē nū?Where is he now?
- EadgythHē slǣpþ nū on þǣm hūse.He is sleeping in the house now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “when” translations and entries þonne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
