Spanish Phrase
¿Cuándo llegaste?
Meaning
Literally, 'When did you arrive?'. It asks for the specific moment in the past when the listener reached a place. The question is informal and assumes the speaker already knows the person has arrived.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversation with friends, family, or colleagues when you want to know the exact time someone arrived. In a formal setting you would switch to the third‑person form: '¿Cuándo llegó?'.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cuándollegaste?
¿Cuándo?
Interrogative adverb meaning 'when'. It always carries an accent to distinguish it from the conjunction 'cuando'.
llegaste
Second‑person singular preterite of the verb *llegar* (to arrive). Used for actions completed in the past.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuándo llegaste?
When did you arrive?
Llegué a las tres de la tarde.
I arrived at three in the afternoon.
✕Common Mistakes
Cuando llegaste?
Missing accent; 'cuando' without accent is a conjunction, not a question word.
¿Cuándo llegas?
Present tense is incorrect for a past‑time question; use the preterite 'llegaste'.
↔Alternatives
¿A qué hora llegaste?
What time did you arrive?
¿A qué hora arribaste?
What time did you arrive? (more formal)
¿Cuándo llegó usted?
When did you arrive? (formal)
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries the informal second‑person form (*tú*) is common among peers, but when speaking to strangers, elders, or in professional contexts you should use the formal *usted* form: '¿Cuándo llegó?'. Also, remember that the accent on 'cuándo' is essential; without it the word becomes the conjunction 'cuando' (when/while).