cuando quieras
/kwando kjeɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'whenever you want' is expressed in Spanish as cuando quieras.
Cuando quieras is a straightforward way to tell someone they can do something at any time that is convenient for them. You can also use the phrase En cualquier momento as an equivalent meaning 'at any time'.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between cuando quieras and cuando quieres. While cuando quieras means 'whenever you want' and refers to an indefinite or future time, cuando quieres means 'when you want' and is used when referring to a specific, habitual or already known time. Additionally, use cuando quieran when addressing a group of people to say 'whenever you (plural) want'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the subjunctive mood in the verb quieras because the timing of the action is considered indefinite and hypothetical.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying cuando quieras to an invitation can be a polite way of declining without saying 'no'. It can function as a vague social grace rather than a literal agreement.
- The phrase can be expanded to cuando te dé la gana, which is a much more informal and blunt way to say 'whenever you feel like it'.
- The word cuando descends from the Latin word 'quandō', which is a distant relative of the English word 'when'.
Examples in context
- Puedes irte cuando quieras.You can leave whenever you want.This example shows how to use cuando quieras to express permission to leave.Tatoeba #8949013 by Shishir, translation #10094919 by ddnktr
- Podemos dejar de hacer esto cuando quieras.We can stop doing this whenever you want.This sentence uses cuando quieras to suggest stopping an activity at the listener's discretion.Tatoeba #9188732 by ignacio, translation #9188544 by CK
- Hijo, cásate cuando quieras cásate hija, cuando puedas.Son, marry whenever you want – daughter, marry when you can.This sentence uses cuando quieras to provide advice or permission regarding marriage.Tatoeba #1309068 by Kiraness, translation #1549575 by nsharp
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are deciding when to eat dinner.
- DanielPodemos cenar cuando quieras.We can have dinner whenever you want.
- María¿Te parece bien a las ocho?Does eight o'clock sound good to you?
- DanielClaro, por mí está bien.Of course, that's fine with me.
- MaríaPerfecto, entonces nos vemos luego.Perfect, I'll see you later then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuando, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
