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"Cuando" is a form of "cuando", a conjunction which is often translated as "when". "A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "cuando" and "a" below.
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.).
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
