when
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when
(wĕn, hwĕn)adv.
At what time: When will we leave?
conj.
1. At the time that: in the spring, when the snow melts.
2. As soon as: I'll call you when I get there.
3. Whenever: When the wind blows, all the doors rattle.
4. During the time at which; while: When I was young, I was sick all the time.
5. Whereas; although: She stopped short when she ought to have continued.
6. Considering that; if: How can he get good grades when he won't study?
pron.
1. What or which time: Since when has this been going on?
2. At or during the time that: Where were you on the night when the murder took place?
n.
The time or date: Have they decided the where and when?
Usage Note: In informal style when is often used after forms of be in definitions: A dilemma is when you don't know which way to turn. Although useful, this construction is widely regarded as incorrect or unsuitable for formal discourse. In formal style such definitions should be recast to eliminate is when, either by supplying a generic term that may be modified by a restrictive adjective clause (A dilemma is a situation in which you don't know which way to turn) or by making the when-clause adverbial (You are in a dilemma when you don't know which way to turn). When is acceptable, however, when a noun phrase that denotes a point in time is being defined or described: The best time to drink this tea is when you are sleepy.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
when
(wɛn)adv
1.
a. at what time? over what period?: when is he due?.
b. (used in indirect questions): ask him when he's due.
2. say when to state when an action is to be stopped or begun, as when someone is pouring a drink
3. (subordinating) at a time at which; at the time at which; just as; after: I found it easily when I started to look seriously.
4. although: he drives when he might walk.
5. considering the fact that: how did you pass the exam when you'd not worked for it?.
6. at which (time); over which (period): an age when men were men.
n
(usually plural) a question as to the time of some occurrence
[Old English hwanne, hwænne; related to Old High German hwanne, hwenne, Latin cum]
Usage: When should not be used loosely as a substitute for in which after a noun which does not refer to a period of time: paralysis is a condition in which (not when) parts of the body cannot be moved
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
when
(ʰwɛn, wɛn; unstressed ʰwən, wən)adv.
1. at what time or period? how long ago? how soon?: When are they to arrive? When did the Roman Empire exist?
2. under what circumstances? upon what occasion?: When is a letter of condolence in order? When did you ever see such a crowd?
conj. 3. at what time: to know when to be silent.
4. at the time or in the event that: when we were young; when the noise stops.
5. at any time; whenever: The dogs always bark when anyone approaches the house.
6. upon or after which; and then: We had just fallen asleep when the bell rang.
7. while on the contrary; whereas: Why are you here when you should be in school?
pron. 8. what time: Till when is the store open?
9. which time: They left on Monday, since when we have heard nothing.
n. 10. the time of anything: the when and the where of an act.
[before 1000; Middle English when(ne), Old English hwenne, c. Old Frisian hwenne, Old High German hwanne (compare Old Saxon, Gothic hwan when, how); akin to who, what]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
when
1. used in questions
You use when to ask about the time that something happened or will happen.
When did you arrive?
'They're getting married.' – 'When?' – 'Next month.'
2. used in time clauses
You use when in time clauses to say that something happened, happens, or will happen at a particular time.
He left school when he was sixteen.
When I have free time, I always spend it fishing.
If you are talking about the future, use the present simple in the time clause, not a future form. For example, say 'Stop when you feel tired'. Don't say 'Stop when you will feel tired'.
When you get to the hotel, go to reception and give your name.
I'll come when I finish work.
3. 'when', 'as', and 'while'
If you want to say what was happening at the time that an event occurred, you can begin by saying what was happening, then add a clause beginning with when.
I was just going out when there was a knock at the door.
We were at our desks working when we heard the explosion.
You can also use as or while to say what was happening when an event occurred. When you use one of these words, you describe the event in the main clause and say what was happening in the clause beginning with as or while.
As I was out walking one day, I saw a very unusual bird.
While I was standing at the bus stop, Raul came by.
If you want to say that two events are continuing to happen at the same time, you usually use while.
What were you thinking about while he was talking to you?
I don't like music playing while I am working.
4. used with 'why'
When has another use which is not related to time. You can add a clause beginning with when to a question which begins with why, as a way of expressing surprise or disagreement. The when-clause shows the reason for your surprise or disagreement.
Why should I help him when he refused to help me?
Why worry her when there's nothing she can do about it?
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
Translations
امتىبالرَّغْم من، في الوَقْت الذيعَنْدَماعِندَمالما
кога
kdykdyžaž
hvornårnårda
kiam
kuimillal
kunmilloinmistäkoska
कबजब
kada
amikoramikor pedigmikormikor?
kapan
hvenæròegaròrátt fyrir aî; meî tilliti til
･･･する時はいつ
...인 때언제
quando
iš kurjeigu
jakad
când
kdajko
dånär
เมื่อใด เวลาใดเมื่อหรือขณะที่
ne zamanne zaman kiolduğu hâlde-diğinde-ince
جبکب
khi nàokhi
when
[wen]A. ADVERB
1. (in direct and indirect questions, reported speech)
when did it happen? → ¿cuándo ocurrió?
he asked me when I had seen it → me preguntó cuándo lo había visto
do you know when he died? → ¿sabes cuándo murió?
I know when it happened → yo sé cuándo ocurrió
he told me when the wedding would be → me dijo cuándo sería la boda
he told me when to come in → me indicó cuándo entrar
say when! (when serving food, drink) → ¡dime cuánto!
since when since when do you like or have you liked Indian food? → ¿desde cuándo te gusta la comida india?
till when? → ¿hasta cuándo?
When in direct and indirect questions as well as after expressions of (un)certainty and doubt (e.g. no sé) translates as cuándo (with an accent) and is used with the indicative:
→ cuándowhen did it happen? → ¿cuándo ocurrió?
he asked me when I had seen it → me preguntó cuándo lo había visto
do you know when he died? → ¿sabes cuándo murió?
I know when it happened → yo sé cuándo ocurrió
he told me when the wedding would be → me dijo cuándo sería la boda
he told me when to come in → me indicó cuándo entrar
say when! (when serving food, drink) → ¡dime cuánto!
since when since when do you like or have you liked Indian food? → ¿desde cuándo te gusta la comida india?
till when? → ¿hasta cuándo?
2. (in exclamations) → cuándo
when will we learn to keep our mouths shut! → ¡cuándo aprenderemos a callar la boca!
when will we learn to keep our mouths shut! → ¡cuándo aprenderemos a callar la boca!
3. (in other statements)
3.1. (= the time, day, moment, etc) → cuando
that was when the trouble started → entonces fue cuando empezaron los problemas
Monday? that's when Ted gets back → ¿el lunes? ese día es cuando vuelve Ted
that's when the programme starts → a esa hora es cuando empieza el programa
1958: that's when I was born → 1958: (en) ese año nací yo
she told me about when she was in London → me contó lo que le pasó cuando estuvo en Londres
that was when the trouble started → entonces fue cuando empezaron los problemas
Monday? that's when Ted gets back → ¿el lunes? ese día es cuando vuelve Ted
that's when the programme starts → a esa hora es cuando empieza el programa
1958: that's when I was born → 1958: (en) ese año nací yo
she told me about when she was in London → me contó lo que le pasó cuando estuvo en Londres
3.2. (relative use)
during the time when she lived abroad → durante el tiempo (en) que vivió en el extranjero
the year when you were born → el año (en) que naciste
she can't remember a time when she wasn't happy → no recuerda una época (en) que no fuese feliz
there are times when I wish I'd never met him → hay momentos en los que desearía no haberlo conocido nunca
some days, when we're very busy, we don't finish work till very late → algunos días, cuando tenemos mucho trabajo, no acabamos hasta muy tarde
If when follows a noun (e.g. day, time) and defines the noun, translate using (en) que not cuando:
→ (en) queduring the time when she lived abroad → durante el tiempo (en) que vivió en el extranjero
the year when you were born → el año (en) que naciste
she can't remember a time when she wasn't happy → no recuerda una época (en) que no fuese feliz
there are times when I wish I'd never met him → hay momentos en los que desearía no haberlo conocido nunca
If the when clause following a noun provides additional information which does not define or restrict the noun - in English as in Spanish commas are obligatory here - translate using cuando:
→ cuandosome days, when we're very busy, we don't finish work till very late → algunos días, cuando tenemos mucho trabajo, no acabamos hasta muy tarde
B. CONJUNCTION
1. (= at, during or after the time that)
when I came in → cuando entré
when I was young → cuando era joven
he had just sat down when the phone rang → acababa de sentarse cuando sonó el teléfono
everything looks nicer when the sun is shining → todo está más bonito cuando brilla el sol
he arrived at 8 o'clock, when traffic is at its peak → llegó a las ocho en punto, en lo peor del tráfico
call me when you get there → llámame cuando llegues
when the bridge is built → cuando se construya el puente
you can go when we have finished → puedes irte cuando hayamos terminado
he said he'd tell me when I was older → dijo que me lo diría cuando fuera mayor
when he went out he saw it was raining → al salir vio que estaba lloviendo
when a student at Oxford, she → cuando era estudiante or estudiaba en Oxford ...
my father, when young, had a fine tenor voice → mi padre, de joven or cuando era joven, tenía una buena voz de tenor
when just three years old, he was → cuando tenía sólo tres años, era ...
the floor is slippery when wet → el suelo resbala cuando está mojado
hardly had the film begun when there was a power cut → apenas había empezado la película cuando se fue la corriente
even when → aun cuando
As a conjunction, when can be translated by cuando (without an accent) followed by either the indicative or the subjunctive. Use the indicative when talking about the past or making general statements about the present. Use the subjunctive when the action is or was in the future:
→ cuandowhen I came in → cuando entré
when I was young → cuando era joven
he had just sat down when the phone rang → acababa de sentarse cuando sonó el teléfono
everything looks nicer when the sun is shining → todo está más bonito cuando brilla el sol
he arrived at 8 o'clock, when traffic is at its peak → llegó a las ocho en punto, en lo peor del tráfico
call me when you get there → llámame cuando llegues
when the bridge is built → cuando se construya el puente
you can go when we have finished → puedes irte cuando hayamos terminado
he said he'd tell me when I was older → dijo que me lo diría cuando fuera mayor
If when + VERB can be substituted by on + -ING in English and describes an action that takes place at the same time as another one or follows it very closely, you can use al + INFINITIVE:
be careful when crossing or when you cross the road → ten cuidado al cruzar la callewhen he went out he saw it was raining → al salir vio que estaba lloviendo
when a student at Oxford, she → cuando era estudiante or estudiaba en Oxford ...
my father, when young, had a fine tenor voice → mi padre, de joven or cuando era joven, tenía una buena voz de tenor
when just three years old, he was → cuando tenía sólo tres años, era ...
the floor is slippery when wet → el suelo resbala cuando está mojado
hardly had the film begun when there was a power cut → apenas había empezado la película cuando se fue la corriente
even when → aun cuando
2. (= if) → si, cuando
this sounds expensive when compared with other cars → éste parece caro si or cuando se compara con otros coches
how can I relax when I've got loads of things to do? → ¿cómo puedo relajarme si or cuando tengo montones de cosas que hacer?
I wouldn't walk when I could get the bus → no iría a pie si pudiese tomar el autobús
this sounds expensive when compared with other cars → éste parece caro si or cuando se compara con otros coches
how can I relax when I've got loads of things to do? → ¿cómo puedo relajarme si or cuando tengo montones de cosas que hacer?
I wouldn't walk when I could get the bus → no iría a pie si pudiese tomar el autobús
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
when
[ˈhwɛn]Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
when
adv
(= at what time) → wann; since when have you been here? → seit wann sind Sie hier?; … since when he has been here → … und seitdem ist er hier; say when! (inf) → sag or schrei (inf) → halt!
(rel) on the day when → an dem Tag, an dem or als or da (liter) → or wo (inf); at the time when → zu der Zeit, zu der or als or da (liter) → or wo (inf); he wrote last week, up till when I had heard nothing from him → er schrieb letzte Woche und bis dahin hatte ich nichts von ihm gehört; in 1960, up till when he … → im Jahre 1960, bis zu welchem Zeitpunkt er …; during the time when he was in Germany → während der Zeit, als or wo or die (inf) → er in Deutschland war
conj
→ wenn; (with past reference) → als; you can go when I have finished → du kannst gehen, sobald or wenn ich fertig bin; he did it when young → er tat es in seiner Jugend
(+gerund) → beim; (= at or during which time) → wobei; when operating the machine → beim Benutzen or bei Benutzung der Maschine; be careful when crossing the road → seien Sie beim Überqueren der Straße vorsichtig, seien Sie vorsichtig, wenn Sie über die Straße gehen; the PM is coming here in May, when he will … → der Premier kommt im Mai hierher und wird dann …
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
when
(wen) adverb at what time(?). When did you arrive?; When will you see her again?; I asked him when the incident had occurred; Tell me when to jump.
(wən, wen) conjunction1. (at or during) the time at which. It happened when I was abroad; When you see her, give her this message; When I've finished, I'll telephone you.
2. in spite of the fact that; considering that. Why do you walk when you have a car?
whence (wens) adverb from what place or circumstance (?); from where (?).
whenˈever adverb, conjunction1. at any time that. Come and see me whenever you want to.
2. at every time that. I go to the theatre whenever I get the chance.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
when
→ عَنْدَما, مَتَى kdy, když hvornår, når wann, wenn όταν, πότε cuando, cuándo kun, milloin quand kada quando ･･･する時は, いつ ...인 때, 언제 wanneer når kiedy quando когда då, när เมื่อใด เวลาใด, เมื่อหรือขณะที่ ne zaman, ne zaman ki khi, khi nào 什么时候, 在...的时候Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
when
pron. cuándo;
Since ___ ? → ¿Desde ___?;
conj. cuando; si.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009