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La palabra del día: "cuando"

La palabra del día: "cuando"

15
votes

cuando ( koo-ahn'-doh )

conjunction ( when )

RafaelNoiret is the official corrector for the Spanish sentences. Please correct your posts according to his suggestions. There are many native English speakers here, most of us can offer great suggestions to the English sentences. I will do my best to go through them all, too. Use today's Word of the Day in your own Spanish sentence (and include the English translation as well). Try to use the word in a completely new way and vote on the sentences you like best. The winner will be chosen based upon the correct use of the word as well as the number of votes.

Guidelines:

Write sentences at least 5 words long, but don't write a paragraph either. Write your Spanish sentence, but include the English translation as well. Make the corrections suggested by other users and moderators in the comments section (try not to use personal pronouns unless absolutely necessary). Use your own words! (Don't use a translator, copy from a book, use song lyrics, etc.) Please keep political, religious or personal statements to a minimum. This is a practice game to help with using a new vocabulary word! Have fun experimenting with Spanish.

How to post a picture

enter image description here

Examples:

1. Avísame cuando termines, que te tengo otro proyecto.

Let me know when you're done; I have another project for you.

2. Cuando quieras vamos al supermercado para comprar la comida para la fiesta.

We can go to the supermarket to buy food for the party whenever you'd like.

enter image description here

5634 views
updated Sep 26, 2013
posted by rac1
Hola mi amiga! ¿Cómo es el facíl grande esta noche? - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
Hola JR. El fácil grande es grande. :) - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Another prize post from a first prize girl , thanks rac. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
De nada amigo :) - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Hola amiga! - RichSean1725, Jul 17, 2013
Hi Rich. It's good to see you! - rac1, Jul 17, 2013

20 Answers

12
votes

Cuando siento que ya no puedo más, dejo mis problemas en manos de Dios. En realidad, no debería de esperar hasta ya no poder más.

When I feel that I cannot go any longer, I leave my problems in God's hands. enter image description hereIn reality, I should not wait until I can't take it anymore.

updated Jul 18, 2013
posted by 00e46f15
Yes, He surely does! - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
I feel this policy could be risky. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
Good idea. There are limits to what we can do about 'it'. - katydew, Jul 17, 2013
Good idea mate. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
I have a question. I am still confused about when to use articles. Why don't we use las in front of God's hands? - 0083f5dc, Jul 17, 2013
11
votes

Usted sabe que se está haciendo viejo cuando las velas cuestan más que el pastel.

You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake. –Bob Hope

enter image description here

updated Jul 17, 2013
edited by 0083f5dc
posted by 0083f5dc
I am a big fan of Mr. Hope. - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Nothing better than hot melting cake:) - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
... haciendo... - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
Thank you, Sylyon. - 0083f5dc, Jul 17, 2013
Anyway, you aren't allowed cake anymore, it's not good for you, at your age.. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
I am keeping well out of this one mates. I am not old , just , better . - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
You are welcome. :-) - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
Glass of wine, ray? - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
10
votes

enter image description here

Cuando la vida ofrecen te da limones, prepares haz limonada.

When life gives you lemons , make lemonade.

updated Jul 17, 2013
edited by Jraider
posted by Jraider
...vida te da limones, haz limonada. - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
One of my favorite old phrases. - rogspax, Jul 17, 2013
(though truth be told, these days, I¨m more likely to trade them for Limes, and then add tequila. - rogspax, Jul 17, 2013
Good, I'm adding the translation of this saying to my learning list :) - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
Best advice ever.. - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
I'd like some. - katydew, Jul 17, 2013
Love it mate a la Dale Carnegie. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
Gracias sylyon:) - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
Positive thinking mis amigos!!!! - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
De nada. --Susy - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
9
votes

Roger´s version:

Por favor despertarme cuando toque a mí correr. (o cuando sea mi turno?)

Y en contrario, una correcta:

Por favor despiértame/despiértenme cuando me toque. (cuando sea mi turno)

Please wake me when it´s my turn to race.

enter image description here

updated Jul 18, 2013
edited by rogspax
posted by rogspax
What exactly is this thing he's holding? - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
That's his little racetrack! - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Oh, of course, haha - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
well it's off course...you're quite right about that :-) - Aranjuez12, Jul 17, 2013
That is precious. - katydew, Jul 17, 2013
He is very keen.. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
"Por favor despiértame/despiértenme cuando sea mi turno/cuando me toque." - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
Thanks much for the help. Totally forget the stem change. - rogspax, Jul 17, 2013
You are welcome. :-) - 00e46f15, Jul 18, 2013
9
votes

Los políticos serán honestos cuando los cerdos vuelen.

Politicians will be honest when pigs fly.

enter image description here

updated Jul 17, 2013
edited by Noetol
posted by Noetol
If we elect the pigs they might do better! - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
...cuando los cerdos vuelen." Another way to say it or expression in Spanish: "cuando el gato coma sandía." In other words: never! - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
Nice cartoon and alternative Spanish idiom. Thanks to both of you. - rogspax, Jul 17, 2013
Thanks, sylon! Good idiom! - Noetol, Jul 17, 2013
Haha, that's great! :) - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
Hahaha, so very true! - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Gracias! :-) - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
8
votes

Cuando era jovencita, no quería nada más que tener éxito en la vida y una profesión respetable, pero con el tiempo me di cuenta de que las malas mujeres tienen vidas más divertidas que las mujeres respetables.

When I was very young I wanted nothing more than to have success in life and a respectable occupation but as time passed, I discovered that '' bad women'' have more entertaining lives than respectable women.

enter image description here

updated Jul 18, 2013
edited by annierats
posted by annierats
I'm in a terrible rush, so I've combined two days worth of words . - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
Vidas divertidas perhaps? I always get confused about this so I might be wrong. It's funny how our desires change with time :) - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
That's good, Annie! - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Thanks Manity, as usual the more hurry, the more corrections have to be made! - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
She does'nt look that bad to me annie:) - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
Nor to me, she looks good! I couldn't really think of a suitable picture, the argument is not waterproof either.. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
...pero con el tiempo...". - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
Funny you should say that Annie , I have always thought that so called " bad women " are so much more fun to be with . Vive mauvaises femmes. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
She is not bad just, "magnificent" - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
I think a correction should be made to the English translation: "...to have success in life...", or "...to have a successful life...". - soul71, Jul 17, 2013
sorry Annie...you were saying what? - Aranjuez12, Jul 17, 2013
Thank you soul. It's a pleasure to have the Englsish corected and not the Spanish! - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
An old joke , but..." You don't get many of those to the Kilo ". - ray76, Jul 18, 2013
Gracias a todos y especialmente a Sylon. - annierats, Jul 18, 2013
:-) - 00e46f15, Jul 18, 2013
8
votes

Cuando usted da regresa mis recetas , va recibir las llaves.

Voy a devolver el perro cuando usted dice por favor.

Esos son típicos mensajes por parejas de divorcios.Lo tonto.

Cuando me regreses mis recetas,recibirás las llaves.

Te regresaré el perro cuando digas 'por favor'.

Estos son mensajes típicos de parejas que están pasando por divorcios. Que tonto!

When you give back my recipes , you will receive the keys.

I will return the dog when you say please .

These are typical messages for divorce couples . How foolish.

enter image description here

updated Jul 18, 2013
edited by ray76
posted by ray76
Yes, letting go is tough sometimes. How are ya? - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Great mate and so glad to be back on board , I had a couple of days break up the bush. Keep dancing beautiful girl. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
Don't you think they would be saying 'tu' , for old times sake? - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
"Cuando me regreses mis recetas, recibirás las llaves. Te regresaré el perro cuando digas 'por favor'. Estos son mensajes típicos de parejas que están pasando por divorcios. Que tonto!" - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
@ sylyon , I have given mine away completely , makes me feel very down in the mouth but dam it I shall try harder next time , but with three word sentences only. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
Thanks so much sylyon for your corrections , very good of you mate. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
Ray, you are trying. That is what counts. You are doing very well. - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
7
votes

La palabra "cuando" es mejor que la palabra "si".

The word "when" is better than the word "if".

updated Jul 17, 2013
posted by SaigeSmith
I agree with that. :) - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Es verdad :) - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
Cute one :) - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
6
votes

No sé cuándo podré reunirme contigo, pero cuando sepa, te llamaré para hacer un plan.

I don't know when I'll be able to get together with you, but when I know, I'll call you to make a plan.

updated Jul 17, 2013
posted by sinmeta
Ooooh, nice way to highlight different uses :) - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
The man with the plan. - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
5
votes

When we learn a new language, we often make mistakes. Some of them are quite funny, for example saying "Quiero mudarme a una casa en los suburbios" for "I’d like to move to a house in the suburbs".

A menudo cometemos errores cuando aprendemos un idioma nuevo. A veces son bastante graciosos, por ejempo cuando decimos "Quiero mudarme a una casa en los suburbios" en lugar de "Quiero mudarme a una casa en las afueras".

(Check this site for an explanation and other cute examples)

updated Jul 17, 2013
posted by Manity
Now that's a good one. jejeje - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Very funny mate , we avoid that here because we say, Living in the " burbs ". - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
Good one, Manity. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
5
votes

Cuando veo estas figurillas de cristal, no puedo resistir comprarme una.

When I see these glass figurines, I can't resist buying one.

enter image description here

updated Jul 17, 2013
posted by GraceM
I´m always too afraid to get near objects of that sort, fearing I´d clumsily smash them. - rogspax, Jul 17, 2013
These flamingoes would be good company to the swans I have. I understand your inability to resist! :) - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
They are very beautiful. - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
When they see me, they jump off the shelves and commit suicide, before I even have time to drop them.. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
5
votes

Fred was rowing to the middle of the lake when the canoe sprung a leak.

Fred remaba una piragua al medio del lago cuando la canoa hizo aguas.

enter image description here

updated Jul 17, 2013
posted by katydew
Poor Fred. - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Blub blub blub!!! - Jraider, Jul 17, 2013
Gosh, I count four unknown expressions in this sentence. Clearly I haven't learned any rowing vocabulary yet. - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
Parece queno tiene remos... - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
Solo tiene un palo largo. - katydew, Jul 17, 2013
4
votes

Cuando era niña me gustaba sentarme a un lado del río y mirar el aqua.

When I was a child I loved to sit near the river and watch the water.

enter image description here

updated Sep 26, 2013
edited by 00b5f6c6
posted by 00b5f6c6
Typo, mate, to "sit" near the river , - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
Hi Lilim. typo:..."to sit" - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Hola ray76 y rac1!! Gracias por correción. Saludos :) - 00b5f6c6, Jul 17, 2013
Lovely :) - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
De nada guapa, buena suerte. - ray76, Jul 17, 2013
"Cuando era niña me gustaba sentarme cerca del río/ a un lado del río y mirar el agua." - 00e46f15, Jul 17, 2013
Gracias Susy ;) - 00b5f6c6, Sep 26, 2013
4
votes

When a diplomat says yes he means perhaps; when he says perhaps he means no; when he says no he is no diplomat.

Cuando un diplomático dice que sí quiere decir quizás; cuando dice quizás, quiere decir no, cuando dice: no, él no es diplomático. enter image description here

updated Jul 18, 2013
posted by shish75
Hola Shish! Very clever and funny - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
Eres muy listo y diplomático. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013
Gracias mis amigas!:). - shish75, Jul 17, 2013
4
votes

Cuando lo dicen todos los periódicos, será verdad.

If it’s in all the papers it must be true.

Cuando niños nos gustaban los dulces.

When we were little, we liked sweets.

sweetshop photo: Honeydukes Sweetshop HogsmeadeHoneydukes.jpg

updated Jul 17, 2013
edited by ian-hill
posted by ian-hill
Grownups still like sweets! Sometimes I wonder why people talk about alcoholism and drug addiction but never mention sweets addicts. - Manity, Jul 17, 2013
Still do! - rac1, Jul 17, 2013
I love that place! - kdfore, Jul 17, 2013