when
/wen/ (bre, ipa) · /wen/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈ(h)wen (h)wən/ (ame, mw)
when — 副詞
1. used to ask about the time or occasion when something happens, or to refer to a
何時；那時
詢問或指涉特定時間
used to ask about the time or occasion when something happens, or to refer to a time that has already been mentioned.
When did you last see your sister and her two young children?
你上次見到你妹妹和她的兩個小孩是什麼時候？
direct question with did
Nala could not remember when the summer camp registration deadline was.
Nala 不記得夏令營報名截止日期是何時了。
reported question after a verb of thinking
Autumn is the season when the leaves on the maple trees turn bright red.
秋天是楓樹葉子轉為鮮紅的季節。
When should I call the repair shop to check on my laptop?
我該何時打電話給維修店詢問筆電的狀況？
I still remember the day when my grandfather taught me how to fish.
我至今仍記得祖父教我釣魚的那一天。
- at what time
more specific; asks for a clock time rather than a general occasion
- on what day
narrows the question to day of the week or date
文法句型
when + auxiliary + subject + verb
when + did/do/does + subject + verb
when + be + subject
noun + when + subject + verb
用法筆記
In direct questions, the verb follows the auxiliary (When did she leave?), not the subject (When she left?). In relative clauses, 'when' can often be replaced by 'that' or omitted in informal speech: 'the day (that) I met her'.
常見錯誤
when — 代名詞
1. used after a preposition to ask about a point in time or to refer to a time that
何時
用於介係詞後指涉時間
used after a preposition to ask about a point in time or to refer to a time that has already been mentioned.
Since when have you been taking guitar lessons every weekend?
你從何時開始每週末上吉他課的？
since when — asks about the starting point
Until when is the library open on Friday evenings?
圖書館在星期五晚上開放到何時？
until when — asks about the end point
From when does the new bus schedule begin operating?
新的公車時刻表從何時開始實施？
Since when did Asher become so interested in learning Japanese history?
Asher 是從何時開始對學習日本史產生這麼大的興趣？
- what time
can replace 'when' after prepositions in many contexts: 'From what time...?'
文法句型
preposition + when
用法筆記
This pronoun use is almost always restricted to questions and follows a small set of prepositions (since, until, till, from, by). It cannot stand as a direct object or subject of a verb (*I know when, as a pronoun meaning 'what time' is not standard in this position — that use belongs to the adverb sense).
常見錯誤
when — 連接詞
1. used to introduce a fact that makes something else in the same sentence seem sur
既然；鑒於
引出與主句矛盾的事實
used to introduce a fact that makes something else in the same sentence seem surprising, unreasonable, or self-contradictory.
How can you say you are too tired to help when you stayed up playing games until midnight?
你明明熬夜打電玩到半夜，怎麼還能說自己太累幫不上忙？
when + clause introducing a contradictory fact
Why would anyone trust that report when the writer has admitted it contains many errors?
既然那位作者自己都承認報告裡有很多錯誤，怎麼還會有人相信它？
It seems unfair to criticise the volunteers when none of the critics have offered to help themselves.
批評志工是很不公平的，畢竟那些批評者自己也沒出手幫忙。
It is strange that Dr. Park recommended rest when she told us to exercise every day.
Dr. Park 叫我們每天都要運動，卻又要我們多休息，真是奇怪。
- given that
more formal; states a precondition rather than a contradiction
- seeing that
slightly informal; common in British English
文法句型
question + when + clause
statement + when + clause
用法筆記
This sense nearly always appears in a rhetorical question or a statement expressing surprise, criticism, or contradiction. It is different from the temporal 'when' (adverb sense), which simply marks a point in time.
常見錯誤
❌ 'When you finish, please call me.' (temporal, not contradictory) — This is the adverb sense of 'when', not the 'given that' conjunction use. Compare: 'How can you leave when the work is not done?' (contradictory use).
2. used to say that something is true or happens even though another fact would nor
雖然；儘管
表示讓步關係
used to say that something is true or happens even though another fact would normally prevent it or make it seem unexpected.
Rin decided to take the job when the salary was much lower than her previous position.
Rin 決定接受這份工作，雖然薪水比她之前的職位低很多。
concessive when — the salary was lower, yet she still took the job
The Watanabe family bought a new car when their old one was still running perfectly well.
渡邊家買了一輛新車，儘管舊車仍然運作得很好。
Noor insisted on paying for dinner when the restaurant had offered to give us free meals.
Noor 堅持要請客吃飯，即使餐廳已經說要免費招待我們。
Élise continued to use her old phone when the screen had been cracked for over a year.
Élise 繼續用她那支舊手機，儘管螢幕裂開已經超過一年了。
- although
more common; the standard concessive conjunction
- even though
stronger contrast; more emphatic than 'when'
文法句型
clause + when + clause
用法筆記
Distinguish this concessive sense from conjunction/1 (GIVEN THAT): here the main clause states an action or fact that happens regardless of the 'when' clause, rather than a contradiction being pointed out. This sense is rarer and mostly found in formal writing.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I was sleeping when the phone rang.' (temporal, not concessive) — This is simply marking simultaneous time. For the concessive 'when', you should be able to replace it with 'although': 'I took the job when (= although) the pay was low.'
when — 名詞
1. the point in time when something happens or is arranged to happen, especially in
時間；時機
某事發生的時間點
the point in time when something happens or is arranged to happen, especially in the fixed phrase 'the when and where'.
Please tell me the when and where of the wedding ceremony so I can book my flight.
請告訴我婚禮的時間和地點，這樣我才能訂機票。
fixed phrase: the when and where
The police are trying to determine the when of the accident from witness statements.
警方正試圖根據目擊者證詞來確定事故發生的時間。
We have agreed on the budget; now we need to settle the when of the project launch.
預算已經談好了，現在我們需要敲定專案啟動的時間。
The when and how of the payment should be written clearly in the contract.
付款的時間和方式應清楚寫在合約裡。
文法句型
the when [of something]
the when and where
用法筆記
The noun sense is almost always used in the paired expression 'the when and where' or paired with other question words ('the when and how', 'the when and why'). It is rarely used alone as a standalone noun.