kiam / tiam
When and Then
Kiam asks when, and tiam means at that time.
How It Works
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| kiam | when | Kiam vi venos? |
| tiam | then, at that time | Tiam mi estis juna. |
Kiam asks about a time, whether past or future: Kiam tio okazis? asks about the past, Kiam vi alvenos? about the future.
Tiam points at a time that is already known from the sentence before: Post la kongreso mi estos libera, kaj tiam mi povos helpi. The time was named, and tiam picks it up again.
Like other time words, they already say when. Tiam can start a sentence or come after the verb, but kiam, like any question word, normally starts its question.
Keep kiam apart from kiom: kiam is about time, and kiom is about amount.
Examples (5)
- Kiam vi venos al Pollando, Raj?
When will you come to Poland, Raj?
Kiam asks about a future time.
- Mi venos en marto, kaj tiam ni vizitos la urbon.
I will come in March, and then we will visit the city.
Tiam points back to March.
- Kiam estas via naskiĝtago, Mei?
When is your birthday, Mei?
Kiam works with estas as well.
- Tiam mi estis juna, kaj mi loĝis en Peruo.
At that time I was young, and I lived in Peru.
Tiam points at a past time that both people know.
- Kiam tio okazis?
When did that happen?
Kiam asks about a past time too.
Common Mistakes
Using kiam to ask how many.
Kiam da homoj venos?Kiom da homoj venos?Kiam asks about time. To ask about an amount, use kiom.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Kiam and tiam are the time pair of the table.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice kiam / tiam in Bubblegum
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