57 CUÁNDO CUANDO USE OF

Question 1

Cuando or its question form, cuándo, is the Spanish word used most often for “when.” It can be used as an interrogative pronoun, subordinating conjunction, or preposition.

Answer 1

Fortunately, its use is usually straightforward for Spanish students because as a pronoun or conjunction it is used in much the same way as the English word.

Question 2

Cuándo in Questions

Note how cuándo is spelled with an orthographic accent. The accent doesn’t affect its pronunciation.

Answer 2

In questions, cuándo is always used with a verb in the INDICATIVE MOOD, the most common type. As in the final two examples, cuándo can also be used in indirect questions.

Question 3

When did Halley’s comet last pass by?

Answer 3

¿Cuándo pasó el cometa Halley por última vez?

Question 4

How long will the cold wave last? Literally: Until when will the cold wave last?

Answer 4

¿Hasta cuándo dura la ola de frío?

Question 5

(When will I win the lottery?

Answer 5

¿Cuándo ganaré la lotería?

Question 6

I don’t understand when the words por and para are used.

Answer 6

No entiendo cuándo se usan las palabras “por” y “para.”

Question 7

We don’t know when she learned to tie her shoes.

Answer 7

No sabemos cuándo aprendió a atarse los zapatos.

Question 8

Cuando as a Subordinator

Answer 8

Cuando as a Subordinator

Question 9

When cuando is used used to introduce a clause (a series of words that could be a sentence but form a longer phrase starting with cuando), either the indicative or subjunctive mood can be used in that clause. The choice of moods depends on whether the action of the verb has been completed.

Answer 9

As a subordinating conjunction, cuando — usually translated as “when” or “whenever” — typically is followed by a verb in the indicative mood when that verb refers to something that has already occurred or is occurring in the present. The present includes referring to an event that has occurred and could continue to occur. Boldface verbs in these samples indicate the subordinate verb in the indicative mood:

Question 10

I remember when my parents came.

Answer 10

Recuerdo cuando llegaron mis padres.

Question 11

The last time was when two members of the team were arrested.

Answer 11

La última vez fue cuando dos miembros del equipo fueron detenidos.

Question 12

Ana made two mistakes when she bought the bicycle.

Answer 12

Ana cometió dos errores cuando compró la bicicleta.

Question 13

There is nothing to do when the victim is already dead.

Answer 13

No hay nada que hacer cuando la víctima ya está muerta.

Question 14

Nobody pays me when I’m sick.

Answer 14

Nadie me paga cuando estoy enfermo.

Question 15

Eat when you are hungry, not just when the clock says it’s time to eat.

Answer 15

Come cuando tengas hambre, no sólo cuando el reloj dice que es hora de comer.

Question 16

(When we go to the city it is always because there are a thousand things to do there.

Answer 16

Cuando vamos a la ciudad siempre es porque hay mil cosas que hacer allí. (When we go to the city it is always because there are a thousand things to do there.)

Question 17

In contrast, the PRESENT-TENSE SUBJUNCTIVE mood typically follows cuando when verb referring to an action or state of being that has yet to occur.

Answer 17

PRESENT-TENSE SUBJUNCTIVE
Note how use of the subjunctive isn’t accompanied by a corresponding verb change in the English translation. Boldfaced verbs here are in the subjunctive:

Question 18

(We will arrive when we should and not before.

Answer 18

Llegaremos cuando debamos y no antes.

Question 19

Wake me up when your friends arrive.

Answer 19

Despiértame cuando lleguen tus amigos.

Question 20

Look in my eyes when you speak.

Answer 20

Mírame a los ojos cuando hables.

Question 21

We are going to do it when we are capable.

Answer 21

Vamos a hacerlo cuando seamos capaces.

Question 22

What am I going to do when I am old?

Answer 22

¿Qué voy a hacer cuando esté viejo?

Question 23

(When we go to the city, it will be because there will be a thousand things to do there.

Answer 23

Cuando vayamos a la ciudad sea porque habrán mil cosas que hacer allí.

Question 24

Cuando as a Preposition

Although not particularly common, cuando also can be a preposition. In these instances, cuando means “at the time of,” although you may have to improvise with the translation rather than translating word for word.

Answer 24

Cuando as a Preposition

Question 25

(I’ll be sad when an insolvency occurs.)

Answer 25

Voy a estar triste cuando insolvencia.

Question 26

(Turn off the flame when boiling occurs.

Answer 26

Apaga la llama cuando hervir.

Question 27

Key Takeaways

When cuándo is used in a question to mean “when,” a written accent is used with the á.

Answer 27

Cuando (without a written accent) is frequently used to introduced a clause that can be in either the indicative or subjunctive mood.

Question 28

Unlike the English “when,” cuando is sometimes used as a preposition and cannot be translated directly.

Answer 28

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