This document provides information on using the Spanish word "cuando", which means "when". It can be used as an interrogative pronoun, subordinating conjunction, or preposition. The document gives examples of cuando used in questions, as a subordinator introducing clauses, and as a preposition meaning "at the time of". It also explains that cuando is typically followed by the indicative mood for completed actions and the subjunctive for future or uncertain actions.

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HOW TO USE ‘CUANDO’
Cuando (or its question form, ‘cuándo’) is the Spanish word used most often for
"when." It can be used as an interrogative pronoun, subordinating conjunction, or
preposition. Let’s see it!
1. QUESTIONS
In questions, ‘cuándo’ is always used with a verb in the indicative mood:
• ¿Cuándo vino tu padre?
(When did your dad come?)
• ¿Cuándo es Semana Santa en España este año?
(When is Holy Week in Spain this year?)
• ¿Hasta cuándo dura la lluvia?
(How long will the rain last? Literally: Until when will the rain last?)
• ¿Cuándo iré a París?
(When will I go to Paris?)
• Quieren saber cuándo iré a la universidad
(They want to know when I’ll go to College).
• No entiendo cuándo se usan las palabras "por" y "para"
(I don't understand when the words “por” and “para” are used)
The accent doesn't affect its pronunciation.
2. SUBORDINATOR
When ‘cuando’ is used to introduce a clause (a series of words that could be a
sentence but form a longer phrase starting with cuando), either the indicative or
subjunctive mood can be used in that clause. The choice almost always depending
on whether the action of the verb has been completed.
As a subordinating conjunction, cuando (usually translated as "when" or "whenever")
typically is followed by a verb in the indicative mood when that verb refers to
something that has already occurred or is occurring in the present. The present
includes referring to an event that has occurred and could continue to occur.

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• Recuerdo cuando me casé
(I remember when I got married)
• La última vez fue cuando dos miembros del equipo fueron detenidos.
(The last time was when two members of the team were arrested)
• Ana cometió dos errores cuando compró la casa.
(Ana made two mistakes when she bought the house)
• No hay nada que hacer cuando la víctima ya está muerta.
(There is nothing to do when the victim is already dead)
• Nadie me mira cuando voy en el autobús
(Nobody looks at me when I'm on the bus)
• Come cuando tengas hambre, no solo cuando el reloj te indique que es hora
de comer.
(Eat when you are hungry, not just when the clock says it's time to eat)
• Cuando vamos a la ciudad siempre es porque mis padres tienen trabajo
(When we go to the city it is always because my parents have work to do)
In contrast, the present-tense subjunctive mood typically follows cuando when verb
referring to an action or state of being that has yet to occur. Note how use of the
subjunctive isn't accompanied by a corresponding verb change in the English
translation.
• Llegaremos cuando debamos y no antes.
(We will arrive when we should and not before.)
• Mírame a los ojos cuando hables.
(Look in my eyes when you speak)
• Despiértame cuando lleguen mis primos.
(Wake me up when my cousins arrive)
• Vamos a hacerlo cuando seamos capaces.
(We are going to do it when we are capable)
• ¿Qué voy a hacer cuando sea mayor?
(What am I going to do when I am old?)
3. PREPOSITION
Although not particularly common, cuando also can be a preposition. In these
instances, cuando usually means "at the time of".
• Cuando niño, solía jugar con mi hermana
(When I was a child, I used to play with my sister)
• Cuando las inundaciones yo era muy pequeña.
(At the time of the floods, I was very little)