whenever
gb/wɛnˈɛvɚ/ us/wɛnˈɛvɚ/
A2
English
~ 2600
amikor csak, valahányszor, minden alkalommal, amikor, bármikor
A2
1
amikor csak
B1
Usage pattern:
whenever [something] happens, [something else] happens
Whenever I see her, she’s smiling.
Amikor csak látom, mosolyog.
You can call me whenever you need help.
Felhívhatsz, amikor csak segítségre van szükséged.
Whenever it rains, the streets get flooded.
He gets nervous whenever he has to speak in public.
Learner examples
I drink tea whenever I am tired.
Teát iszom, amikor csak fáradt vagyok.
Whenever it is cold, I wear a coat.
Amikor csak hideg van, kabátot veszek fel.
She smiles whenever she sees a dog.
You can come whenever you want.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'whenever' with 'when'. 'Whenever' means 'at any time that', while 'when' refers to a specific time.
Meaning
At any time that something happens
Collocations
whenever possible
|whenever necessary
|whenever you like
|whenever it happens
Synonyms
anytime (Less formal, often used interchangeably in casual speech.)
|
every time (Emphasizes that it happens on each occasion without exception.)
Antonyms
never when (Indicates that something does not occur at the same time as another thing.)
Themes
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something happens at any time another thing happens.
Used to refer to any time at which a particular event or situation occurs.
A2
2
Usage pattern:
whenever [subject] [verb], [result]
Whenever I travel, I bring my camera.
Valahányszor utazom, magammal viszem a fényképezőgépemet.
The dog barks whenever someone walks by.
A kutya ugat, valahányszor valaki elmegy mellette.
She feels happy whenever she listens to that song.
Learner examples
I smile whenever I see my friends.
Mindig mosolygok, amikor meglátom a barátaimat.
Whenever I eat too much, I feel sick.
Mindig rosszul érzem magam, amikor túl sokat eszem.
The baby cries whenever he is hungry.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'whenever' when they mean 'when' for one-time events.
Meaning
Every time something happens
Collocations
whenever he calls
|whenever they meet
|whenever trouble arises
Synonyms
each time (More formal or precise than 'whenever'.)
Antonyms
rarely when (Indicates infrequent occurrence instead of every time.)
Themes
time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say something happens each time another thing happens.
Used to mean 'every time that' something happens or is true.
A2
3
bármikor
A2
amikor csak
B1
Usage pattern:
whenever [subject] [verb], [statement]
You can visit me whenever you want.
Meglátogathatsz, amikor csak akarsz.
Come over whenever it’s convenient for you.
Gyere át, amikor neked megfelel.
I’m available to talk whenever you have a moment.
Learner examples
Call me whenever you are free.
Hívj fel, amikor csak ráérsz.
You can eat whenever you are hungry.
Ehetsz, amikor csak éhes vagy.
I can help you whenever you need help.
Meaning
No matter what time something happens
Collocations
whenever you arrive
|whenever you’re ready
Synonyms
at any time (Broader in meaning, not limited to events happening together.)
Antonyms
only when (Limits the occurrence to a specific time.)
Themes
time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say the time something happens is not important.
Used to mean 'it does not matter when' an event occurs.
Grammar
Dictionary form
whenever
IPA
GB/wɛnˈɛvɚ/
US/wɛnˈɛvɚ/
Syllables & stress
whenev - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (er)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: whenever
- Plural: whenevers
Word family
Expressions
whenever necessary
1/wɛnˈɛvɚ nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
If needed at any moment
Do something if it is needed at any time.
Examples
- You may contact me whenever necessary.
- The doctor visits the patient whenever necessary.
whenever possible
1/wɛnˈɛvɚ pˈɑsəbəl/
fixed phrase
If it can be done at any possible time
If it can be done, do it at any time it is possible.
Examples
- We try to use local products whenever possible.
- Drink water instead of soda whenever possible.
whenever you like
1/wɛnˈɛvɚ jˈu lˈaɪk/
fixed phrase
Any time you want
At any time you want or choose.
Examples
- You can start the project whenever you like.
- Come and see us whenever you like.