Understanding când
Când is a Romanian word that translates to “when” in English. It is used to ask questions about time and to introduce subordinate clauses that refer to the time of an action. Here are some key uses and examples:
Când – when (interrogative and relative)
When used in questions, când inquires about the time of an event or action:
Când pleci la școală?
When do you leave for school?
In relative clauses, când introduces a time-related subordinate clause:
Îmi amintesc când am fost la Paris.
I remember when I went to Paris.
Common Phrases with când
De când – since when
This phrase is used to inquire about the starting point of an action or event:
De când te-ai mutat aici?
Since when have you lived here?
Atunci când – at the moment when
This phrase specifies a particular moment in time:
Atunci când soarele apune, cerul devine roșu.
At the moment when the sun sets, the sky turns red.
Understanding atunci
Atunci is a Romanian word that translates to “then” in English. It is used to refer to a specific time in the past or future, often implying a sequence of events. Here are some key uses and examples:
Atunci – then (temporal adverb)
Atunci is used to indicate a particular time in the past or future:
Am terminat de citit cartea și atunci am început să scriu.
I finished reading the book and then I started writing.
Atunci can also imply a conditional sequence:
Dacă plouă, atunci nu mergem la picnic.
If it rains, then we won’t go to the picnic.
Common Phrases with atunci
Până atunci – until then
This phrase refers to a period extending up to a specific point in time:
Până atunci, trebuie să terminăm proiectul.
Until then, we must finish the project.
Din atunci – since then
This phrase indicates the time starting from a particular moment up to the present:
Din atunci, nu ne-am mai văzut.
Since then, we haven’t seen each other.
De atunci – since then
Similar to din atunci, but more commonly used in everyday speech:
De atunci, am început să învăț română.
Since then, I have started learning Romanian.
Comparing când and atunci
To fully understand the differences between când and atunci, it is helpful to see them used in similar contexts but with different meanings:
Când – when (specific point in time)
Când ai venit acasă, era deja târziu.
When you came home, it was already late.
Atunci – then (sequence or result)
Ai venit acasă și atunci am plecat.
You came home and then I left.
Both sentences involve coming home, but când refers to the specific time when the action occurred, while atunci signifies the sequence of events.
Practical Tips for Using când and atunci
1. Identify the context: Determine whether you are referring to a specific point in time (când) or indicating a sequence or result (atunci).
2. Practice with questions and answers: Use când to ask about times and atunci to describe sequences in your daily conversations. For example:
Când ai terminat munca?
When did you finish work?
Am terminat la șase și atunci am plecat acasă.
I finished at six and then I went home.
3. Use common phrases: Incorporate phrases like de când, atunci când, până atunci, and de atunci into your vocabulary to become more fluent in different contexts.
4. Read and listen: Engage with Romanian media such as books, movies, and news to see how native speakers use când and atunci in various contexts.
5. Practice writing: Write short stories or diary entries using când and atunci to reinforce your understanding. For example:
Când eram copil, îmi plăcea să mă joc în parc.
When I was a child, I liked to play in the park.
Am crescut și atunci am început să mă interesez de cărți.
I grew up and then I started to take an interest in books.
Additional Vocabulary for Context
Here are some additional Romanian words and phrases that often appear with când and atunci, along with their explanations and examples:
Imediat – immediately
This word indicates something happening right away:
Imediat ce ajung acasă, te sun.
As soon as I get home, I will call you.
După – after
Used to indicate that one event follows another:
După ce am mâncat, am ieșit la plimbare.
After I ate, I went for a walk.
Înainte – before
Indicates that one event happens prior to another:
Înainte să pleci, închide ușa.
Before you leave, close the door.
Întotdeauna – always
This word is used to describe something that happens all the time:
Întotdeauna mă trezesc la șapte dimineața.
I always wake up at seven in the morning.
Apoi – then/next
Similar to atunci, but more often used in lists or sequences of events:
Am făcut temele și apoi am citit o carte.
I did my homework and then I read a book.
Practice Makes Perfect
To master când and atunci, practice is essential. Try to create your own sentences using these words, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different contexts. Here are some additional exercises to help you practice:
1. Fill in the blanks: Complete the sentences with either când or atunci.
– ______ eram mic, mergeam la bunici în fiecare vară.
– Am ajuns la gară și ______ am luat trenul spre București.
2. Translation exercises: Translate the following sentences into Romanian.
– When did you arrive at the party?
– I finished my work and then I went out.
3. Storytelling: Write a short story about a memorable day in your life, using both când and atunci to describe the sequence of events.
By regularly practicing and incorporating these words into your daily conversations, reading, and writing, you will become more confident in your ability to use când and atunci accurately and effectively.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between când and atunci is crucial for mastering Romanian. These words help you to articulate time and sequence in your conversations and writings. Remember to practice regularly, engage with native content, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. With time and effort, you will find yourself using când and atunci with ease and confidence. Happy learning!
