Spanish Phrase
Sé específico sobre cuándo empezó y cuánto duró.
Meaning
This phrase is a direct command used to request precise chronological details about an event or situation. It focuses on two key data points: the exact moment of onset and the total duration of the occurrence.
When to use
Use this phrase in professional, medical, or formal contexts where accuracy is required, such as describing symptoms to a doctor or explaining a technical issue to a supervisor. It is an imperative sentence, so it carries a tone of authority or a request for clarity.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Séespecíficosobrecuándoempezóycuántoduró
Imperative 'Sé'
The word 'Sé' is the irregular singular informal command form of the verb 'ser' (to be).
Indirect Questions
'Cuándo' and 'cuánto' have accents here because they function as interrogative pronouns within a statement.
Preterite Tense
'Empezó' and 'duró' use the third-person singular preterite to describe completed actions in the past.
🗨In Conversation
Doctor, tuve un dolor de cabeza muy fuerte.
Doctor, I had a very bad headache.
Sé específico sobre cuándo empezó y cuánto duró.
Be specific about when it started and how long it lasted.
✕Common Mistakes
Se especifico sobre cuando empezo y cuanto duro.
Missing accent marks: 'Sé' (verb) needs an accent to distinguish it from the pronoun 'se', and 'cuándo/cuánto' need accents in indirect questions.
Eres específico sobre cuándo empezó.
Use the imperative 'Sé' for a command, not the indicative 'Eres' which just states a fact.
↔Alternatives
Dime exactamente cuándo comenzó y cuánto tiempo tomó.
Tell me exactly when it started and how much time it took.
Detalla el inicio y la duración.
Detail the start and the duration.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish-speaking professional environments, being 'específico' is highly valued to avoid the ambiguity that can sometimes occur in casual conversation. While social talk is common, switching to this level of precision signals that you are moving into a serious or analytical phase of the discussion.