Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| quando | /ˈkwɐ̃.du/ (Brazil) /ˈkwɐ̃.du/ (Portugal) |
| assim que |
quando is the most common and versatile word for "when" in Portuguese. It can function as a conjunction meaning "when", as a pronoun meaning "what time" or "which time" or as a noun meaning "the time". For more specific inquiries, you can use the expression em que dia to mean "on which day" or a que horas to mean "at what time".
Which one should you use?
While quando can mean "when", assim que is used specifically to emphasize that an action happens immediately after another (as soon as).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, it is common to simply use the word Quando? to ask "when".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When quando introduces a future event, the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood.
How do you pronounce it?
quando is pronounced /ˈkwɐ̃.du/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Quando o Tom vem?When does Tom arrive?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's arrival using quando.Tatoeba #4341019 by Ricardo14, translation #4062880 by CK
- Quando é a prova?When is the test?This sentence is useful for asking about the timing of a test using quando.Tatoeba #5138938 by alexmarcelo, translation #2701474 by CM
- Eu não sei quando.I don't know when.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about a time using quando.Tatoeba #7089886 by alexmarcelo, translation #2271868 by CK
- Quando é o seu aniversário?When is your birthday?
- Em que dia você vai ao médico?On which day are you going to the doctor?
- A que horas o voo chega ao destino?At what time does the flight arrive at the destination?
- Quando é que você vai ao cinema com a gente?When are you going to the movies with us?
- A festa começa a que horas, quando é que devo chegar?The party starts at what time, when should I arrive?
- Vamos sair sábado, que horas você prefere?We're going out on Saturday, what time do you prefer?
- 4275 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are planning a meeting.
- MarianaQuando você pode vir aqui?When can you come here?
- RodrigoEu posso quando eu sair do trabalho.I can when I leave work.
- MarianaPerfeito, eu te espero.Perfect, I will wait for you.
- RodrigoCombinado, Mariana.Agreed, Mariana.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “when” translations and entries quando, assim que, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries assim, quando, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
