cuando and aunque · indicative or subjunctive

cuando + subjunctive (the verb form for wishes and doubts) for a time still to come: Cuando llegues. cuando + indicative for a habit or the past. aunque + indicative for a fact, + subjunctive for 'even if'.

Examples

Cuando llegues, llámame.When you arrive, call me.
Cuando era niño, vivía en Lima.When I was a child, I lived in Lima.
Aunque llueva, saldré.Even if it rains, I will go out.

How it works

After cuando and aunque the verb can be indicative or subjunctive (the verb form for wishes and doubts: llegues, llueva). The meaning decides.

Cuando with the subjunctive

a time still to come:

Cuando llegues, llámame. — When you arrive, call me.

Cuando tenga dinero, compraré un coche.

When I have money, I will buy a car.

Never the future after cuando: ✗ Cuando llegarás.

Cuando with the indicative

a habit, or the past:

Cuando llueve, me quedo en casa. — When it rains, I stay home. (every time)

Cuando era niño, vivía en Lima. — When I was a child, I lived in Lima.

Cuando llegó, cenamos. — When she arrived, we had dinner.

Aunque with the indicative

although: a fact you state:

Aunque llueve, salgo. — Although it is raining, I am going out.

Aunque es caro, lo compro. — Although it is expensive, I'm buying it.

Aunque with the subjunctive

even if: it may not be true, or it doesn't matter:

Aunque llueva, saldré. — Even if it rains, I will go out.

A known fact can take it too, to say it doesn't matter: Aunque sea caro, lo compro.

Aunque sea caro, lo compraré. — Even if it is expensive, I'll buy it.

Common mistakes

Cuando llegarás, llámame. →Cuando llegues, llámame.

Cuando llegues ayer… →Cuando llegaste ayer…

Cuando tendré dinero, compraré un coche. →Cuando tenga dinero, compraré un coche.

A question is different: ¿Cuándo llegarás? (with an accent) is fine.

What you'll practise

1. cuando: subjunctive for the future, indicative for a habit or the past
A time still to come takes the present subjunctive (the verb form for wishes and doubts): Cuando llegues. Never the future (Cuando llegarás). A habit or the past takes the indicative: Cuando llueve…, Cuando era niño…
- Cuando tenga dinero, compraré un coche.When I have money, I will buy a car.
- Cuando llueve, me quedo en casa.When it rains, I stay home.
2. aunque: indicative for a fact, subjunctive for 'even if'
'Although' + a fact you state takes the indicative: Aunque llueve, salgo. 'Even if' (it may not be true, or it doesn't matter) takes the subjunctive (the verb form for wishes and doubts): Aunque llueva, saldré.
- Aunque es caro, lo compro.Although it is expensive, I'm buying it.
- Aunque sea caro, lo compraré.Even if it is expensive, I'll buy it.

Practise it until it sticks

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