Using "donde" in a sentence

Question

So Eric_Kim recently asked a question about how to translate "where" into Spanish, which got me thinking about how exactly to use "donde".

I know "Donde" and "Where" aren't necessarily substitutes because you can substitute "where" for lots of other conjunctions. For example the sentences "It was a time where there was no electricity" and "Is there a language where people don't use pronouns?" both sound completely fine to me.

However, I've noticed that saying "Era una época donde no había electricidad" or "¿Hay una lengua dónde no se usan pronombres?" just sound weird. I've never heard a native speaker say those sentences. They'd probably say "Era una época cuando no había electricidad" or "¿Hay una lengua en la que no se usan pronombres?"

Because of this, I'm not sure of where to use "donde" in Spanish. How exactly is "donde" used?

If I were editing a document and came across "It was a time where . . .." I would change the "where" to "when," as time is not a place, at least not in the universe as we know it. I think this particular conundrum is . . . - AnnRon, Nov 18, 2015

. . . the result of an unfortunately popular propensity among English speakers to substitute "when" for more precise subordinate conjunctions and relative adverbs. - AnnRon, Nov 18, 2015

AnnRon is quite correct , the first example is incorrect it should be "when" it is a point in time not a place. Thanks mate. - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

Great question , well done .¿Hacia dónde vamos? - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

Answer 1

Well, I believe one part of the issue is that in the examples you give, it is actually incorrect to use "where." It is not interchangeable with "when." It has become widely used like that, however, and so it sounds fine.

There are instances in which "where" might sound like it means "when," as in "Where we would normally do X, we should also do Y." You could use "when," or you could supply implied words, as in "In the situations where we would do X,..." In the latter example, it really does mean "where."

I know it's not "technically" correct, but it's used so commonly where I live that it's become ingrained in how I speak. That's why I'm looking for a series of tips on how to use "donde" in Spanish that goes beyond "just use it when you say where" - HackerKing, Nov 18, 2015

Hi, Wink: I know what you mean. As someone who is toatlly immersed in the English language, these habits carry over into the Spanish. Even in my first language (French) We say "oú" (where) exactly "where" we do in English. At least in Canadian French. - Daniela2041, Nov 18, 2015

You're right, Dani. I imagine there is crossover of incorrect grammar both ways near north and south borders of the US. - Winkfish, Nov 18, 2015

By the way, where's the little heart you always put at the end of your comments to me? ;-) - Winkfish, Nov 18, 2015

This is very interesting but, one should always be aware that English like Spanish changes from country to country , down here we would use "when" in the first instance always. - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

Terrific question , and fabulous answers , I have been entertained for the first time in yonks. - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

One ♥ for Winkfish, and one more for Ray ♥ Sorry guys, I forgot. (Big sigh) - Daniela2041, Nov 19, 2015

Thank you, Dani. All is right with the world now! xx - Winkfish, Nov 19, 2015

Yes the balance is restored and OZ is back up there on top. - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

Here you are one more for a badge Winky. - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

Thanks, Ray!! ;-) - Winkfish, Nov 19, 2015

Answer 2

The use of "where" for "that" might be on its way to being accepted, although like Winkfish, I don't particularly like the sound of it.

• The American Heritage Dictionary lists I read where they're closing down the paper mill as a "usage problem."
• Oxford lists I see where the hotel has changed hands again as "informal."
• Merriam Webster lists I've read where they do it that way in some Middle Eastern countries without qualification.

However, I don't see in the RAE any usage of that sort for "donde."

So your instincts might be right. In English we might use "where" to mean "that," but in Spanish we use "donde" for location.

I like where you went with this! - Jubilado, Nov 19, 2015

I went where I always go... to dictionaries! - jtaniel, Nov 19, 2015

"Whateverrrrr" ! - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

So I'm guessing "donde" is only used for location - HackerKing, Nov 19, 2015

Whenever and wherever your answers are correct Jtaniel that is where and when I give my vote. Well done mate , and all of you above. - - ray76, Nov 19, 2015

Answer 3

*5. Es arcaico, y debe evitarse hoy, el uso de donde con antecedente temporal: Fueron años donde se pasaron calamidades; Será al atardecer donde se producirán los chubascos más fuertes. En estos casos deben usarse los relativos (el) que o el cual precedidos de la preposición correspondiente, o bien, si lo admite la sintaxis de la frase, el adverbio relativo cuando: Fueron años en (los) que / durante los cuales se pasaron calamidades; Será al atardecer cuando se producirán los chubascos más fuertes.

Diccionario panhispánico de dudas ©2005 Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

• Creo que la gente todavía lo usa.

I always remembered "donde" y "cuando" in Italian from the famous song ,¿Cuando cuando cuándo va a ser el mio ? It was of course "Quando". - ray76, Nov 20, 2015

I know the song... :) - chileno, Nov 20, 2015

Answer 4

My first question on SD was "Puedo o puedo" ?

I found out that in Spanish there is no distinction , therefore no problem.

Not so in English ,"can and may" must not be confused.

In OZ it is common to get "them and those" confused.

There are many more examples that show us that Spanish

is not so hard after all.

♥ - Daniela2041, Nov 19, 2015

Answer 5

"Donde" is used for places:

"Era un pueblo donde no había electricidad"

"¿Hay algún lugar en el mundo donde no se usen pronombres?"

@HackerKing: I don't think so.

Maybe you could use one isntead of the other:

En un pueblo donde no había electricidad...

En algún lugar donde no había electricidad...

In a place where there was no electricity...

Can you always replace "donde" with "Algún lugar"? - HackerKing, Nov 20, 2015