when
gb/wˈɛn/ us/wˈɛn/
A1
English
~ 100
amikor, ha, mikor, hiszen
A1
1
Usage pattern:
when [something happens], [something else happens]
Call me when you get home.
Hívj fel, amikor hazaérsz.
I was just leaving when the phone rang.
Épp indulóban voltam, amikor megszólalt a telefon.
He smiled when he saw her.
Learner examples
I eat breakfast when I wake up.
Akkor reggelizem, amikor felébredek.
She calls me when she is ready.
Felhív, amikor készen áll.
We go inside when it rains.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'when' with 'while'; 'when' refers to a specific moment or period, while 'while' emphasizes duration.
Meaning
at the time that
Collocations
when I arrived
|when it happened
|when you see
Synonyms
as soon as (Emphasizes immediacy after the time something happens)
Antonyms
before (Refers to a time earlier than the event)
Themes
daily life
|storytelling
|time
|communication
Definition
Used to talk about the time something happens.
Used to introduce the time at which an event or situation occurs.
A1
2
mikor
A1
Usage pattern:
when [auxiliary verb] [subject] [verb]?
When will the train arrive?
Mikor érkezik meg a vonat?
Do you remember when we met?
Emlékszel, mikor találkoztunk?
She asked when the meeting would start.
Learner examples
When is your birthday?
Mikor van a születésnapod?
When do we eat?
Mikor eszünk?
When will he come?
Common mistake:
Learners may omit auxiliary verbs in questions with 'when'. For example, incorrect: 'When you come?' Correct: 'When do you come?'
Meaning
at what time
Collocations
when did you arrive
|when will it end
|remember when
Synonyms
what time (More direct and specific; 'when' can be more general)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|time
Definition
Used to ask about the time of something.
Used to ask about the time something happens or happened.
B1
3
amikor
A2
Usage pattern:
[time] when [something happened]
I remember the day when we first met.
Emlékszem arra a napra, amikor először találkoztunk.
There was a time when I believed in magic.
Volt idő, amikor hittem a mágiában.
That was the moment when everything changed.
Learner examples
I remember the day when we played in the park.
Emlékszem arra a napra, amikor a parkban játszottunk.
There was a time when I lived in Paris.
Volt idő, amikor Párizsban éltem.
This is the moment when we start.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'when' after a noun referring to time, but it is needed for clarity in formal speech/writing.
Meaning
the time that
Collocations
the day when
|a time when
|moment when
Synonyms
that moment (More specific and concrete than 'when')
Themes
storytelling
|time
|communication
Definition
Means the time that something happened or will happen.
Refers to the specific time something happened or will happen.
B2
4
Usage pattern:
[clause] when [contrasting clause]
It's surprising when you think about it.
Meglepő, ha belegondolsz.
How can you say that, when you know it's not true?
Hogy mondhatsz ilyet, amikor tudod, hogy nem igaz?
It's odd when compared to last year.
Learner examples
It is strange when you see it.
Furcsa, ha meglátod.
How can he be late when he lives next door?
Hogy késhet el, amikor a szomszédban lakik?
It is funny when you think about it.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this use with temporal 'when', but here it signals contrast, not time.
Meaning
considering that
Collocations
strange when you think about it
|odd when compared
Synonyms
although ('Although' is more formal and less conversational)
Themes
argumentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show surprise or contrast because of a fact.
Used to introduce a contrast by pointing out a fact or circumstance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
when
IPA
GB/wˈɛn/
US/wˈɛn/
Syllables & stress
when (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (when)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: when
- Plural: whens
Word family
Forms
whens
noun
Core family
whenever
conjunction/adverb A2
Expressions
just when you think...
1/d͡ʒˈʌst wˈɛn jˈu θˈɪŋk |/
fixed phrase
at exact moment belief changes
Used to say something surprising happens right after you think something else.
Examples
- Just when you think it's safe, trouble appears.
- Just when you think he's gone, he calls again.
when in doubt
1/wˈɛn ˈɪn dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
if unsure what to do
If you are not sure what to do, follow this advice.
Examples
- When in doubt, ask for help.
- When in doubt, choose the safer option.
when it comes to
1/wˈɛn ˈɪt kˈʌmz tə/
fixed phrase
regarding a subject or topic
Used to introduce the subject you are talking about.
Examples
- When it comes to cooking, he's an expert.
- When it comes to sports, she knows everything.
since when
1/sˈɪns wˈɛn/
fixed phrase
from what time onward?
Used to ask when something started happening or being true, often showing surprise.
Examples
- Since when do you like jazz?
- Since when have you been working here?