There are words in Spanish which have different meanings when written with or without a written accent. Let's look at cuando vs cuándo.
Spanish cuándo with an accent
Cuándo is used in both direct and indirect exclamatory sentences and interrogative sentences. It is generally translated as when.
For example:
Spanish cuando without an accent
Cuando is a relative adverb. It is translated as when when it is used to introduce a subordinate clause.
For example:
The function of the word cuándo/cuando indicates if it does or does not require a written accent. If it helps you to remember, even though the most natural translation for both is "when", translate the phrase into English and see if you can replace "when" with "at what moment in time"; if so then you know it is cuándo with the written accent. Look at these examples:
Remember:
- Cuándo = when = "at what moment in time" (interrogative and exclamative adverb)
- Cuando = when (relative adverb)
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