De versus Cuando era/eras/eran

Rosemary H.A2Kwiziq community member

De versus Cuando era/eras/eran


"de joven" and "cuando eran jóvenes" are both used for "when you were young".  When should "de" be used and when should "cuando era/eran/eras" be used? Thanks. 

Asked 1 year ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Rosemary

You can use both. The difference is that "De joven, de pequeño..." are set phrases and are more colloquial. When we use "cuando era..." you are using it more literally "when I was...".

We also say sometimes: "de mayor..." meaning "when I'm older...", for example:

De mayor quiero ser bombero.

When I'm older I want to be a firefighter.

I hope this clarifies it.

Saludos

Inma

 

De versus Cuando era/eras/eran


"de joven" and "cuando eran jóvenes" are both used for "when you were young".  When should "de" be used and when should "cuando era/eran/eras" be used? Thanks. 

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