whenever
/wenˈev.ər/ (bre, ipa) · [wɛnˈɛvɚ] /wenˈev.ɚ/ (ame, ipa) · [wɛnˈɛvɚ] /(h)we-ˈne-vər (h)wə-/ (ame, mw) · /wenˈevə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [wɛnˈɛvɚ] /wenˈevər/ (ame, ipa)
whenever — 副詞
1. at any point in time, without being limited to a fixed schedule or specific mome
隨時
任何時間都可以
at any point in time, without being limited to a fixed schedule or specific moment; used when the choice of timing is open
You can come over whenever — I will be home all day studying for exams.
你隨時都可以過來——我整天在家準備考試。
standalone adverb: whenever at end of sentence
Feel free to call me whenever you get stuck on your algebra homework.
你代數作業卡住時，隨時都可以打電話問我。
whenever + clause expressing open timing
Eve said she would finish the report whenever she could find a free moment.
Eve 說她只要找到空檔就會寫完報告。
That small café serves breakfast whenever, even late in the afternoon.
那小咖啡廳隨時都有早餐，午後也一樣提供。
- anytime
more informal and conversational
- at any time
more formal and explicit
文法句型
whenever (standalone)
whenever + clause
常見錯誤
❗ 'Whenever I was born, my father named me Anthony.' ✅ 'When I was born, my father named me Anthony.' — 'whenever' is for repeated or freely chosen events, not for single past events.
2. used in place of 'when' in questions to express surprise, shock, annoyance, or s
究竟何時
強調語氣，表示驚訝或焦急
used in place of 'when' in questions to express surprise, shock, annoyance, or strong feeling
Whenever did you get the idea that I was angry with you after the meeting?
你究竟何時開始覺得會議後我在生你的氣？
question word with surprise emphasis
Whenever are you going to finish painting that old fence, Soraya?
Soraya，你究竟何時才要把那道舊籬笆畫好？
impatient or exasperated tone in a question
Whenever did they find the time to learn all twelve songs for the school concert?
他們究竟何時找出時間學會那十二首學校演唱會歌曲的？
Whenever did Bao manage to save up enough money for that new bicycle?
Bao 究竟何時存夠錢買那輛新自行車的？
- when on earth
more informal; adds even stronger surprise
- just when
milder, less common in questions
文法句型
Whenever + did/do/does + subject + verb ...?
用法筆記
Only used in questions. The tone is stronger and more emotional than the ordinary question word 'when'. Common with auxiliary verbs do, did, does, and with the verb to be.
常見錯誤
❗ 'Whenever will the bus arrive?' (neutral question) ✅ 'When will the bus arrive?' — use plain 'when' for neutral time questions; reserve 'whenever' for surprise or strong feeling.
whenever — 連接詞
1. used to say that someone may freely choose any suitable moment for an action, wi
任何時候
無論在何時
used to say that someone may freely choose any suitable moment for an action, without restrictions or a fixed schedule
You can start the new job at the hospital whenever you are ready to begin.
你隨時都可以開始醫院的新工作，只要你準備好了。
whenever + clause expressing freedom of choice
Marco said we could visit his family whenever we were in the neighbourhood.
Marco 說我們任何時候在他家附近，都可以去他家作客。
The library lets you borrow books whenever you show your membership card.
圖書館允許你任何時候借書，只要你出示會員卡就行。
Bring your whole family over for a barbecue whenever it feels right for you.
帶全家一起來烤肉，什麼時候覺得適合就來。
- any time
two words; equivalent but slightly less common in clause-introducing position
- no matter when
emphasizes that timing poses no restriction
文法句型
whenever + subject + verb
常見錯誤
❗ 'Whenever you come, please call me' (meaning a specific planned visit). ✅ 'When you come, please call me.' — use 'when' for a known single future time; use 'whenever' when the time is freely chosen or uncertain.
2. on each occasion that something happens; used to describe an event that repeats
每當
每次…的時候
on each occasion that something happens; used to describe an event that repeats every time another event occurs
Whenever Gabriela hears that song, she starts to dance around the room.
每次 Gabriela 聽到那首歌，她都會在房間裡跳起舞來。
whenever clause + main clause for repeated events
The dog barks loudly whenever the doorbell rings in the evening.
每當晚上門鈴響起，那隻狗就會大聲吠叫。
Whenever it rains heavily, the roof of the old shed begins to leak.
每當下大雨時，舊棚屋的屋頂就會開始漏水。
Tariq feels nervous whenever he gives a presentation in front of a large crowd.
Tariq 每當在群眾面前做簡報時，都會緊張。
- every time
more literal; less common as a single conjunction
- each time
slightly more formal; emphasizes individual occurrences
文法句型
whenever + subject + verb, main clause
用法筆記
The main clause typically describes what happens as a result of or in reaction to the whenever-clause. This sense is very close in meaning to 'every time that'.
常見錯誤
❗ 'Whenever she was born, her family celebrated.' ✅ 'When she was born, her family celebrated.' — 'whenever' requires recurrence; a birth happens once.
3. used to say that the exact moment of an event is not important to the main point
不管何時
時間不重要或不確定
used to say that the exact moment of an event is not important to the main point being made, or is simply not known
We can hold the meeting whenever — this week or next, there's no urgent agenda.
我們不管何時開會都行——這週或下週，沒有緊急議程。
whenever standing alone for dismissed timing
Whenever Anthony arrives at the airport, just let him in through the back door.
Anthony 不管何時到達機場，讓他從後門進來就好。
Start writing your history essay whenever you feel inspired; there is no strict deadline.
你不管何時受到啟發，就開始寫歷史作文吧；沒有固定截止日。
Minho said he would send the photos whenever he got around to organising them.
Minho 說等他有空整理好照片就會傳過來。
- no matter when
stronger emphasis that timing has no effect on the outcome
- any time
overlaps with sense 1 but acceptable when timing is clearly not the focus
文法句型
whenever + subject + verb (or elliptical)
用法筆記
Distinguish from conjunction sense 1: this sense emphasizes that the exact timing does not affect the outcome or is irrelevant to the main point, whereas sense 1 (AT ANY TIME) emphasizes the freedom to choose any time.
常見錯誤
❗ 'Whenever he arrives, I need to know the exact hour.' (contradicts irrelevance). ✅ 'When he arrives, I need to know the exact hour.' — this sense only works when the precise timing genuinely does not matter.