A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "When" in French
The French word for 'when,' essential for asking about time and sequencing events.
Quand
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French TTS · 0:01
Use 'Quand' to ask about the timing of an event, like 'Quand est-ce que le train arrive ?' (When does the train arrive?). It's also used to connect clauses, for example, 'Je t'appellerai quand je serai rentré' (I'll call you when I'm back).
Alternatives
- LorsqueSlightly more formal and often used at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
- Au moment oùEmphasizes the specific point in time something happens.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'n'
The 'n' in 'Quand' is nasal; don't pronounce it like a hard English 'n'.
Silent 'd'
The 'd' at the end of 'Quand' is silent, so it sounds like 'Kan'.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to ask 'when' in French?
The most common way is 'Quand ?'. You can also use 'Quand est-ce que... ?' for questions about specific events.
Quand vs Lorsque difference?
'Quand' is the everyday word for 'when.' 'Lorsque' is a bit more formal and often used to link clauses.
When to use 'Quand' in a sentence?
Use 'Quand' to ask about time ('Quand pars-tu ?') or to connect two parts of a sentence ('Je viendrai quand je pourrai').
How to use "when" in French?
The most common way to say "when" in French is "quand". It is used to ask about or refer to a specific time or moment.
When to use où or quand?
Use "quand" to refer to time. Use "où" to refer to a place, although it can sometimes mean "when" in specific literary or older contexts.
How do you say "when" in French slang?
In informal French, "quand" is still widely used. There isn't a distinct slang term that universally replaces it for "when".
What does "quand" mean in French?
"Quand" translates to "when" in English. It is used to introduce a subordinate clause referring to time or to ask about a specific time.
