when
gb/wˈɛn/ us/wˈɛn/
A1
Kiingereza
~ 100
Maana
maana 0
conjunction
A1
relation
1
at the time that
Used to talk about the time something happens.
Muundo wa matumizi:
when [something happens], [something else happens]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'when' with 'while'; 'when' refers to a specific moment or period, while 'while' emphasizes duration.
Visawe
as soon as (Emphasizes immediacy after the time something happens)
Vinyume
before (Refers to a time earlier than the event)
Miunganiko ya maneno
when I arrived
|when it happened
|when you see
Mada
daily life
|storytelling
|time
|communication
Mifano
- Call me when you get home.
- I was just leaving when the phone rang.
- He smiled when he saw her.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Muundo wa matumizi:
when [auxiliary verb] [subject] [verb]?
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may omit auxiliary verbs in questions with 'when'. For example, incorrect: 'When you come?' Correct: 'When do you come?'
Visawe
what time (More direct and specific; 'when' can be more general)
Miunganiko ya maneno
when did you arrive
|when will it end
|remember when
Mada
daily life
|communication
|time
Mifano
- When will the train arrive?
- Do you remember when we met?
- She asked when the meeting would start.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[time] when [something happened]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes omit 'when' after a noun referring to time, but it is needed for clarity in formal speech/writing.
Visawe
that moment (More specific and concrete than 'when')
Miunganiko ya maneno
the day when
|a time when
|moment when
Mada
storytelling
|time
|communication
Mifano
- I remember the day when we first met.
- There was a time when I believed in magic.
- That was the moment when everything changed.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[clause] when [contrasting clause]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse this use with temporal 'when', but here it signals contrast, not time.
Visawe
although ('Although' is more formal and less conversational)
Miunganiko ya maneno
strange when you think about it
|odd when compared
Mada
argumentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
when
IPA
GB/wˈɛn/
US/wˈɛn/
Silabi na mkazo
when (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (when)
Maumbo ya neno
Noun
- Base: when
- Plural: whens
Familia ya neno
Forms
whens
noun
Core family
whenever
conjunction/adverb A2
Semi
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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- Since when do you like jazz?
- Since when have you been working here?