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"Cuando" is a form of "cuando", a conjunction which is often translated as "when". "En que" is a form of "en que", a preposition which is often translated as "that". Learn more about the difference between "cuando" and "en que" 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.).
en que(
ehn
keh
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. that
El día en que te fuiste fue el peor día de mi vida.The day that you left was the worst day of my life.
b. when
En el momento en que viré la cabeza, un carro nos chocó.In the moment when I turned my head, a car hit us.
c. on which
Te vas tan linda ahora como el día en que nos casamos.You look as beautiful now as on the day on which we got married.
a. in which
Tengo curiosidad del estado en que llegarán tus maletas.I'm curious to see the state in which your suitcases will arrive.
a. in that
El choque nos benefició en que nos pudimos comprar un carro nuevo.The crash benefited us in that we were able to buy a new car.