cuando tenía

when he had

when he was

cuando tenía(kwahn-doh teh-nee-ah)

phrase

1. (used to indicate possession or characteristics; third person singular)

a. when he had

Ernesto se arruinó, pero cuando tenía dinero era muy generoso.

Ernesto went bankrupt, but when he had money he was very generous.

b. when she had

Rosa vive ahora con su hija y dice que su vida era más fácil cuando tenía su propia casa.

Rosa lives with her daughter now and she says her life was easier when she had her own house.

c. when it had

Me gustaba más esa chaqueta cuando tenía hombreras.

I liked that jacket more when it had shoulder pads.

2.

(formal)

(used to indicate possession or characteristics; second person singular)

a. when you had

Ese sombrero le quedaba mejor cuando tenía el pelo largo.

That hat suit you better when you had long hair.

3. (used to indicate possession or characteristics; first person singular)

a. when I had

Antes cuando tenía tiempo libre solía ir al cine, pero ahora prefiero leer.

I used to go to the movies when I had any free time before, but I prefer to read now.

4. (used to refer to age or feelings; third person singular)

a. when he was

Luis se casó cuando tenía 25 años.

Luis got married when he was 25 years old.

b. when she was

Mi abuela era temible cuando tenía mal humor.

My grandmother was fearsome when she was in a bad mood.

c. when it was

El gato de mi vecino solo venía a casa cuando tenía hambre.

My neighbor's cat would only come home when it was hungry.

5.

(formal)

(used to refer to age or feelings; second person singular)

a. when you were

¿Qué hacía usted los fines de semana cuando tenía mi edad?

What did you use to do on weekends when you were my age?

6. (used to refer to age or feelings; first person singular)

a. when I was

Fui por primera vez a París cuando tenía quince años.

I went to Paris for the first time when I was fifteen years old.