when
gb/wˈɛn/ us/wˈɛn/
A1
Inglés
~ 100
Acepciones
0 acepciones
conjunction
A1
relation
1
at the time that
Used to talk about the time something happens.
Patrón de uso:
when [something happens], [something else happens]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'when' with 'while'; 'when' refers to a specific moment or period, while 'while' emphasizes duration.
Sinónimos
as soon as (Emphasizes immediacy after the time something happens)
Antónimos
before (Refers to a time earlier than the event)
Colocaciones
when I arrived
|when it happened
|when you see
Temas
daily life
|storytelling
|time
|communication
Ejemplos
- Call me when you get home.
- I was just leaving when the phone rang.
- He smiled when he saw her.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I eat breakfast when I wake up.
- She calls me when she is ready.
- We go inside when it rains.
adverb
A1
relation
2
at what time
Used to ask about the time of something.
Patrón de uso:
when [auxiliary verb] [subject] [verb]?
Error frecuente:
Learners may omit auxiliary verbs in questions with 'when'. For example, incorrect: 'When you come?' Correct: 'When do you come?'
Sinónimos
what time (More direct and specific; 'when' can be more general)
Colocaciones
when did you arrive
|when will it end
|remember when
Temas
daily life
|communication
|time
Ejemplos
- When will the train arrive?
- Do you remember when we met?
- She asked when the meeting would start.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- When is your birthday?
- When do we eat?
- When will he come?
pronoun
B1
relation
3
the time that
Means the time that something happened or will happen.
Patrón de uso:
[time] when [something happened]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes omit 'when' after a noun referring to time, but it is needed for clarity in formal speech/writing.
Sinónimos
that moment (More specific and concrete than 'when')
Colocaciones
the day when
|a time when
|moment when
Temas
storytelling
|time
|communication
Ejemplos
- I remember the day when we first met.
- There was a time when I believed in magic.
- That was the moment when everything changed.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I remember the day when we played in the park.
- There was a time when I lived in Paris.
- This is the moment when we start.
conjunction
B2
relation
4
considering that
Used to show surprise or contrast because of a fact.
Patrón de uso:
[clause] when [contrasting clause]
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse this use with temporal 'when', but here it signals contrast, not time.
Sinónimos
although ('Although' is more formal and less conversational)
Colocaciones
strange when you think about it
|odd when compared
Temas
argumentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- It's surprising when you think about it.
- How can you say that, when you know it's not true?
- It's odd when compared to last year.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- It is strange when you see it.
- How can he be late when he lives next door?
- It is funny when you think about it.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
when
AFI
GB/wˈɛn/
US/wˈɛn/
Sílabas y acento
when (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (when)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: when
- Plural: whens
Familia de palabras
Forms
whens
noun
Core family
whenever
conjunction/adverb A2
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- Since when do you like jazz?
- Since when have you been working here?