cuándo

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when
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/ˈkwando/
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A word used to ask about the time of an event, linking clauses that refer to moments in time.

Examples

  • ¿Cuándo llegas a la fiesta?
    When do you arrive at the party?
  • ¿Cuándo será la próxima reunión?
    When will the next meeting be?
  • ¿Cuándo empezamos a cocinar?
    When do we start cooking?
  • Dime cuándo tienes tiempo libre.
    Tell me when you have free time.
  • Me pregunto cuándo volverá el tren.
    I wonder when the train will return.

Similar words

¿en qué ocasión?
¿en qué momento?
¿en qué fecha?
¿qué hora?
¿a qué hora?
¿en qué instante?

Meanings

Usage

Use cuándo in questions or clauses that refer to a specific moment; keep the accent to avoid confusion with the conjunction cuando.

Common mistakes

Dropping the accent turns cuándo into the conjunction cuando, changing the meaning.

Etymology

From Latin quando, meaning “when”, adopted into Spanish as cuándo.

FAQ

What does cuándo mean?

cuándo means “when?” and is used to ask about the time of an event.

How is cuándo different from cuando?

cuándo carries an accent and introduces questions; cuando without the accent is a conjunction meaning “when” in statements.

When should I use cuándo in a sentence?

Use cuándo at the start of direct or indirect questions that refer to a specific time.

Can cuándo be used to refer to past events?

Yes, it can introduce clauses about past moments, e.g., “No sabía cuándo llegó”.

Is the accent on cuándo optional?

No, the accent distinguishes the interrogative from the conjunction; omitting it changes the meaning.

What are common English equivalents of cuándo?

The English word when is the direct translation of cuándo.

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