عندما

When (Time Clause)

Level 2

عندما (indamā) is the standard way to say 'when' in Modern Standard Arabic to connect two actions. It is used for specific moments in the past, present, or future.

How It Works

The word عندما is a compound of the preposition عند (at/with) and the particle ما. In Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), it functions as a subordinating conjunction to link two events in time.

Key rules for usage:

  • Verb Requirement: It must be followed by a verb. If you want to say 'when' followed by a noun (e.g., 'when the meeting...'), you must use the preposition عند alone or add a verb like 'starts'.
  • Tense Flexibility: It works with both the الفعل الماضي and the الفعل المضارع.
  • Habitual Actions: It is frequently used to describe habitual actions or general truths (e.g., 'When it rains, the streets get wet').
  • Mood: It does not change the mood of the verb. A present tense verb remains in the المضارع المرفوع (ending in -u).
  • Sentence Structure: When the sentence starts with the عندما clause, a comma is typically used to separate it from the main clause.
  • Synonyms and Register: While متى is used for questions ('When?'), عندما is used for statements. The word حينما is a direct synonym that follows the same rules. In formal MSA, you may also see لما (lammā) used as a temporal conjunction meaning 'when'. However, this temporal لما is restricted to the past tense (e.g., 'When he arrived...'), whereas عندما is more flexible across all tenses.
  • Distinction from If: Use عندما for events that are expected to occur at a certain time. For real conditions that are likely to happen in the future, use إذا (if/when). For hypothetical or uncertain situations where the event might not happen, use إن (if).

Examples (4)

  1. عندما وصلتُ إلى البيت، كان الجميعُ نائمين.

    When I arrived home, everyone was asleep.

    Word by Word: When I-arrived to the house, was the-all sleeping.

    Here, 'عندما' is followed by a past tense verb to describe a completed action in the past.

  2. سأتصلُ بكَ عندما أصلُ إلى المطار.

    I will call you when I arrive at the airport.

    Word by Word: I-will-call with-you when I-arrive to the airport.

    In this future context, 'عندما' is followed by a present tense verb. Note the future marker 'سـ' in the main clause.

  3. يَشعرُ الناسُ بالسعادةِ عندما ينجحون.

    People feel happy when they succeed.

    Word by Word: Feel the-people with-the-happiness when they-succeed.

    This demonstrates a general truth or habit using the present tense.

  4. عندما تشرقُ الشمسُ، يبدأُ النهارُ.

    When the sun rises, the day begins.

    Word by Word: When rises the-sun, begins the-day.

    A classic example of a temporal clause followed by the main result.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'عندما' to ask a question.

    عندما يبدأ الفيلم؟
    متى يبدأ الفيلم؟

    Use 'متى' for interrogative questions. 'عندما' is only for joining two statements.

  • Following 'عندما' directly with a noun.

    عندما الغداء، نأكل.
    عند الغداء، نأكل.

    If a noun follows, use the simple preposition 'عند'. 'عندما' requires a verb.

How It Connects

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عندماLevel 2When (Time Clause)

Learn This First

To understand 'عندما' (when), you need to be familiar with the base preposition 'عند', as well as how to form basic sentences and use the past tense to describe the events being linked in time.

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Words in This Pattern

عندما