| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024when /hwɛn, wɛn; unstressed hwən, wən/USA pronunciation adv. - (used to introduce a question) at what time or period?:When will they arrive?
- (used to introduce a question) under what circumstances?:When is an apology in order?
conj. - at what time:He knows when to be silent.
- at the time that:when we were young.
- whenever:The dog barks when the doorbell rings.
- as soon as:Stop the car when the light turns red.
- whereas;
while on the contrary:Why are you here when you should be in school?
pron. - what or which time:Since when have you been teaching?
n. [countable* usually singular] - the time of something:the where and when of the accident.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024when (hwen, wen; unstressed hwən, wən),USA pronunciation adv. - at what time or period? how long ago? how soon?:When are they to arrive? When did the Roman Empire exist?
- under what circumstances? upon what occasion?:When is a letter of condolence in order? When did you ever see such a crowd?
conj. - at what time:to know when to be silent.
- at the time or in the event that:when we were young; when the noise stops.
- at any time;
whenever:He is impatient when he is kept waiting. - upon or after which;
and then:We had just fallen asleep when the bell rang. - while on the contrary;
considering that;
whereas:Why are you here when you should be in school?
pron. - what time:Till when is the store open?
- which time:They left on Monday, since when we have heard nothing.
n. - the time of anything:the when and the where of an act.
- bef. 1000; Middle English when(ne), Old English hwenne; cognate with German wann when, wenn if, when (compare Gothic hwan when, how); akin to who, what
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: when /wɛn/ adv - at what time? over what period?: when is he due?
- (used in indirect questions): ask him when he's due
- say when ⇒ to state when an action is to be stopped or begun, as when someone is pouring a drink
- (subordinating) at a time at which; at the time at which; just as; after: I found it easily when I started to look seriously
- although: he drives when he might walk
- considering the fact that: how did you pass the exam when you'd not worked for it?
- at which (time); over which (period): an age when men were men
n - (usually plural) a question as to the time of some occurrence
Etymology: Old English hwanne, hwænne; related to Old High German hwanne, hwenne, Latin cumUSAGE
When should not be used loosely as a substitute for in which after a noun which does not refer to a period of time: paralysis is a condition in which (not when) parts of the body cannot be moved |