Cuando vs Cuándo
The accent on 'cuándo' means it's a question word.
cuando
When (as a connector or statement)
KWAN-dohcuándo
When? (as a question word)
KWAN-dohQuick Rule
The accent on 'cuándo' means it's a question word.
Think of the accent mark as a tiny question mark on the letter 'a'. If you're asking 'WHEN?', you need the accent.
- This is a very reliable rule. The accent always signals a question (direct or indirect) or an exclamation.
Comparison Table
| Context | cuando | cuándo | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Usage | Te llamo cuando pueda. | ¿Cuándo puedes llamar? | No accent for a statement ('when I can'). Accent for a direct question ('When can you?'). |
| Indirect Usage | Recuerdo el día cuando nos conocimos. | No recuerdo cuándo nos conocimos. | No accent when it means 'the day that...'. Accent for an indirect question ('I don't remember at what time...'). |
| Sentence Structure | Avísame cuando estés listo. | Dime cuándo estarás listo. | No accent to connect two clauses. Accent to ask for information within a statement. |
When to Use "cuando / cuándo"
cuando
When (as a connector or statement)
KWAN-doh
Connecting two actions in time
Llámame cuando llegues a casa.
Call me when you get home.
Referring to a specific time period
Cuando era niño, jugaba mucho afuera.
When I was a child, I played outside a lot.
As a conjunction meaning 'at the time that'
Me gusta leer cuando llueve.
I like to read when it rains.
cuándo
When? (as a question word)
KWAN-doh
Asking a direct question
¿Cuándo es la fiesta?
When is the party?
Asking an indirect question
No sé cuándo empieza la película.
I don't know when the movie starts.
In exclamations
¡Hasta cuándo vamos a esperar!
How long are we going to wait!
Contrast Examples
With "cuando":
Nos vemos cuando termine la reunión.
We'll see each other when the meeting ends.
With "cuándo":
¿Cuándo termina la reunión?
When does the meeting end?
The Difference: 'Cuando' connects the action ('we'll see each other') to a time ('the meeting ends'). 'Cuándo' asks for the specific time that the meeting will end.
With "cuando":
Será genial cuando viajes a España.
It will be great when you travel to Spain.
With "cuándo":
Dime cuándo viajas a España.
Tell me when you are traveling to Spain.
The Difference: The first sentence is a statement about a future event. The second is a command that contains an indirect question, asking for the specific date of travel.
Common Mistakes
No sé cuando viene.
No sé cuándo viene.
This is an indirect question. You are saying 'I don't know *when* he is coming'. Since it's asking for information, it needs the accent.
Voy a la playa ¿cuándo? hace sol.
Voy a la playa cuando hace sol.
This is a statement connecting two ideas ('going to the beach' and 'it's sunny'). It's not asking a question, so it doesn't need an accent.
Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Cuando vs Cuándo
Question 1 of 3
Choose the correct word: 'No estoy seguro de ___ volverá.'
Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
Key Words
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does this accent rule apply to other Spanish words?
Yes, absolutely! This is a key pattern in Spanish. Words like qué (what), dónde (where), quién (who), cómo (how), por qué (why), and cuál (which) all get an accent when they are used to ask a question (either directly with question marks, or indirectly inside a statement).
Does the accent change the pronunciation?
The basic sound of the word stays the same. However, the accent mark shows you where the natural stress of the sentence falls. In a question like '¿Cuándo vienes?', the word 'cuándo' is naturally emphasized more than it would be in a statement like 'Vienes cuando quieres'.