Today’s Spanish word of the day is “cuando”.
It can be used as an adverb, conjunction or preposition that usually translates as “when”. Like the English word “when”, it can be used at the start of a question phrase, or alternatively in a subordinate clause (a phrase that can’t stand alone as a complete sentence). Here are some examples:
- Question: ¿Cuándo llegas? – When are you arriving?
- Subordinate clause: Cuando llegue, te aviso. – When I arrive, I’ll let you know.
When used in questions or to refer indirectly to a question, the word is written as “cuándo”, with an accent on the a.
The word “cuando” comes from Latin quando, meaning “when?” or “at what time?”.
Example sentences
Te llamo cuando termine.
I’ll call you when I finish.
¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?
When is your birthday?
No sé cuándo volveré.
I don’t know when I’ll return.
Cuando era niño, me encantaba jugar afuera.
When I was a child, I loved playing outside.
¿Cuándo llega el autobús?
When does the bus arrive?
