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"Cuando" is a conjunction which is often translated as "when", and "cuándo" is an adverb which is also often translated as "when". Learn more about the difference between "cuando" and "cuándo" below.
cuando(
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)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g. The cat and the dog slept.).
1. (used to indicate time)
2. (used to indicate cause)
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.
3. (used to express the opposite)
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).
4. (used to indicate time)
5. (used to indicate contrast)
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.).
cuándo(
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)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g. to run quickly, very tired).
1. (interrogative)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g. el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (indicating time)
a. when
Nos vamos a casar, pero el cuándo y el dónde aún no lo sé.We are getting married, but I don't know when or where yet.
