Spanish Phrase
¿Cuándo te vas?
Meaning
This phrase is used to ask about the specific time or date of someone's departure. It utilizes the pronominal verb 'irse', which emphasizes the act of moving away from a place, rather than just the destination.
When to use
Use this phrase in social or travel contexts when you want to know when a friend, family member, or colleague is planning to depart from their current location. It is appropriate for both immediate departures and future travel plans.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cuándotevas?
Cuándo
This is an interrogative adverb meaning 'when'. It always carries an accent mark when used in a question.
Te vas
This is the second-person singular form of the reflexive verb 'irse'. The 'te' is a reflexive pronoun that changes the meaning from 'to go' to 'to leave'.
🗨In Conversation
Mañana es mi último día en la ciudad.
Tomorrow is my last day in the city.
¡Qué pena! ¿Cuándo te vas?
What a shame! When are you leaving?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Cuándo vas?
Without the reflexive pronoun 'te', the verb 'ir' simply means 'to go' and sounds incomplete in this context of leaving.
¿Cuándo tú vas?
In Spanish, the reflexive 'te' is mandatory for the verb 'irse' (to leave), and subject pronouns like 'tú' are usually omitted unless emphasizing the person.
↔Alternatives
¿A qué hora te vas?
What time are you leaving?
¿Cuándo sales?
When do you depart?
¿Cuándo te marchas?
When are you heading off?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking regions, farewells can be quite lengthy and social. Asking '¿Cuándo te vas?' is often a way to gauge how much time is left for conversation or to plan a final meal together before someone departs.