cuando
/KWAN-doh/
Just as waking up happens *when* the sun rises, 'cuando' connects two actions that happen at the same time or one after the other.
cuando (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Yo cocino cuando llego a casa.
A1I cook when I get home.
Cuando era niño, vivía en México.
A2When I was a child, I lived in Mexico.
Llámame cuando llegues, por favor.
B1Call me when you arrive, please.
💡 Grammar Points
Connecting Two Ideas in Time
'Cuando' acts like a time-bridge, linking one action to another. For example, 'I was reading' (first action) + 'the phone rang' (second action) becomes 'Yo leía cuando sonó el teléfono'.
A Special Verb Form for the Future
When talking about a future event with 'cuando', the verb that follows often changes its ending. Instead of 'cuando llegas' (when you arrive), you'll say 'cuando llegues'. This special form is called the subjunctive.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Verb Form for Future Actions
Mistake: "Te llamaré cuando llego al aeropuerto."
Correction: Te llamaré cuando llegue al aeropuerto. After 'cuando', if the main action is in the future ('I will call you'), Spanish uses a special verb form for the second action ('I arrive').
⭐ Usage Tips
Telling Stories
'Cuando' is your best friend for storytelling. Use it to set the scene ('Cuando era joven...') or to describe an event that interrupted another ('Estaba durmiendo cuando...').
The accent on 'cuándo' is like a question mark for time. It signals that you're asking 'When?'.
cuando (Adverb)
📝 In Action
¿Cuándo es la fiesta?
A1When is the party?
No sé cuándo vamos a comer.
A2I don't know when we are going to eat.
¡Hasta cuándo tengo que esperar!
B1How much longer do I have to wait!
💡 Grammar Points
The Accent Mark is Your Clue
If you are asking a question about time, 'cuándo' MUST have an accent mark (a tilde). This is true for direct questions (with ¿?) and indirect questions (like after 'dime', 'no sé', etc.).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Accent in Questions
Mistake: "¿Cuando vienes a mi casa?"
Correction: ¿Cuándo vienes a mi casa? The accent is not optional; it's what turns the word into a question word. Without it, the sentence can be confusing.
⭐ Usage Tips
Indirect Questions Count Too
Remember to use the accent even when the question is inside a statement. For example: 'Dime cuándo es el examen' (Tell me when the exam is). You're still asking 'when', just not with question marks.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cuando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence is correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the simple difference between 'cuando' and 'cuándo'?
Think of it this way: 'cuándo' with an accent is the 'question when' (¿Cuándo?). 'Cuando' without an accent is the 'statement when' (I'll do it when...).
Why does the verb sometimes change after 'cuando'?
In Spanish, when you use 'cuando' to talk about a future action that hasn't happened yet, the verb that follows takes a special 'subjunctive' form. For example, 'I will call you when I arrive' becomes 'Te llamaré cuando llegue'. It's a way of showing the action is anticipated, not a current reality.
Can 'cuando' mean 'if'?
Yes, sometimes it can have a meaning similar to 'if' or 'since'. For example, 'Cuando tú lo dices, debe ser verdad' can mean 'If you say so, it must be true'. This is a more advanced usage you'll pick up with time.