cuando
/kwando/
The English word "when" is translated into Spanish as cuando. Wiktionary also lists en que.
Meaning: as soon as, at the time that (conj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| cuando | /kwando/ |
| en que | /en ke/ (from spelling rules) |
When "when" functions as a conjunction meaning "as soon as" or "at the time that," use cuando.
Which one should you use?
The unaccented cuando is used as a conjunction or relative adverb. In contrast, use the accented form cuándo for direct or indirect questions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The mood you use after cuando depends on the timing of the action. Use the indicative mood when referring to a past event or a habitual action. Use the subjunctive mood when referring to a future event that has not yet happened.
How do you pronounce it?
/kwando/
Did you know?
- Even though they look different, the Spanish word que is a cognate of the English word 'who' due to their shared Proto-Indo-European roots.
- Spanish speakers often use cuando to describe habits in a way that translates to 'whenever' in English, even if the word 'whenever' is not explicitly used.
- The phrase en que is a common alternative to cuando when referring to a specific moment or point in time.
Examples in context
- Cuando me vio, huyó.When he saw me, he ran away.Tatoeba #1033337 by Shishir, translation #250983 by CH
- Odio cuando eso pasa.I hate it when that happens.Tatoeba #4648412 by cueyayotl, translation #2334091 by CK
- Odio cuando pasa esto.I hate when this happens.Tatoeba #1881227 by radu107, translation #1879729 by Spamster
- ¿Cuándo llegaste?When did you arrive?
- ¿Cuándo nos vemos?When do we meet?
- Cuando terminé de estudiar, salí a caminar.When I finished studying, I went for a walk.
- La fecha cuando nos conocimos sigue en mi mente.The day when we met remains in my mind.
- El momento cuando ganamos el partido fue inolvidable.The moment when we won the game was unforgettable.
- En aquel entonces, no teníamos teléfonos móviles.Back then, we didn't have mobile phones.
- 3033 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are planning a coffee date.
- Alejandro¿Quieres tomar un café hoy?Do you want to grab a coffee today?
- MaríaSí, pero no sé cuándo podré ir.Yes, but I don't know when I can go.
- AlejandroAvísame cuando tengas tiempo libre.Let me know when you have free time.
- MaríaDe acuerdo, te escribo más tarde.Alright, I will text you later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “when” translations and entries cuando, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuando, en, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
