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"Cuando" is a form of "cuando", a conjunction which is often translated as "when". "Cerrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to close". Learn more about the difference between "cerrar" and "cuando" below.
cerrar(
seh
-
rrahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to cover)
a. to conclude
Cerraron el acuerdo de cooperación el 23 de marzo.The cooperation agreement was concluded on March 23rd.
a. to turn off
Puedes cerrar el gas en la válvula de cierre principal.You can turn the gas off at the main shut-off valve.
5. (to switch off) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to close
Tuvimos que cerrar el negocio porque no era rentable.We had to close the business because it wasn't profitable.
b. to shut down
¿Crees que acabarán cerrando la discoteca?Do you think they'll end up shutting down the nightclub?
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to close up
Me corté la mano pero la herida ya cerró.I cut my hand, but the wound already closed up.
cerrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
11. (weather)
a. to become overcast
El cielo se está cerrando. Espero que no llueva.The sky is becoming overcast. I hope it doesn't rain.
12. (to get dark)
13. (clothing)
b. to button up
Debes cerrarte bien la chamarra antes de salir.You should button your jacket up properly before going out.
14. (to get better)
a. to heal
La herida no se cierra sola y por eso hay que suturarla.The wound isn't healing on its own so we'll need to stitch it up.
a. to shut down
Cada vez que se lo comento, se cierra y cambia de tema.Every time I mention it to her, she shuts down and changes the subject.
cuando(
kwahn
-
doh
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. when (specific moment)
Cuando hace calor, nos gusta desayunar en el jardín.When it's hot, we like to have breakfast in the yard.
b. as (specific moment)
Justo cuando empezábamos a divertirnos, se cortó la luz.Just as we were starting to have fun, the lights went out.
a. if
Cuando se calla sobre el problema, es que debe de saber algo.If she remains silent about the problem, she must know something.
b. since
No sé por qué te sorprendes tanto cuando todo el mundo anda hablando del tema.I don't understand why you're so surprised, since everyone's speaking about the issue.
a. when
¡Le estás contando a todos que soy un mentiroso, cuando no es verdad!You are telling everybody that I'm a liar, when it's not true!
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. even if
¿Por qué me mentiste cuando sabías que tarde o temprano me iba a enterar de la verdad?Why did you lie to me even if you knew that sooner or later I'd find out the truth?
b. even though
Tommy siguió insistiendo en ir al cine cuando los amigos ya habían decidido jugar fútbol.Tommy kept insisting on going to the cinema even though his friends had already decided to play soccer.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
