daquela

Then: Daquela

Level 3

Daquela points back to a time already mentioned: Daquela vivía en Vigo (At that time I lived in Vigo). In conversation it also means "then, in that case": Daquela, vés ou non? (So, are you coming or not?)

How It Works

1. At that time. Daquela refers to a past time the listener already knows about: Daquela non había móbiles (Back then there were no mobile phones), Foi daquela cando empecei a tocar a gaita (That was when I started playing the bagpipes).

2. Then, in that case. After a condition, daquela introduces the consequence: Se non queres ir ao cine, daquela quedamos na casa. At the start of a reply, it draws a conclusion from what the other person said: Daquela, quedamos ás oito? (So, shall we meet at eight?)

Synonyms. The dictionary gives entón as a synonym for both meanings, and logo for the "in that case" meaning. For stating a consequence in a sentence, see also por iso and así que.

Same spelling, different word. Daquela is also the contraction of de + aquela (of that): Gústame a cor daquela camisa (I like the colour of that shirt). See contractions with demonstratives. The sentence always makes clear which one you mean.

Spelling. Always one word, never de aquela, and never the Spanish entonces.

Examples (6)

  1. Daquela vivía en Vigo.

    At that time I lived in Vigo.

    Word by Word: At-that-time lived-I in Vigo.

  2. Daquela non había móbiles.

    Back then there were no mobile phones.

    Word by Word: At-that-time not there-were mobiles.

  3. Foi daquela cando empecei a tocar a gaita.

    That was when I started playing the bagpipes.

    Word by Word: Was at-that-time when started-I to play the bagpipe.

  4. Se non queres ir ao cine, daquela quedamos na casa.

    If you do not want to go to the cinema, then we will stay at home.

    Word by Word: If not want-you go to-the cinema, then stay-we in-the house.

    Here daquela means "in that case".

  5. Daquela, vés ou non?

    So, are you coming or not?

    Word by Word: Then, come-you or not?

  6. Gústame a cor daquela camisa.

    I like the colour of that shirt.

    Word by Word: Pleases-me the colour of-that shirt.

    Here daquela is de + aquela, not the time word.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing the time word as two words.

    De aquela eu traballaba nun banco.
    Daquela eu traballaba nun banco.

    The adverb is always written as one word: daquela.

  • Using the Spanish word entonces.

    Entonces, que facemos?
    Daquela, que facemos?

    Entonces is Spanish. In Galician, say daquela or entón.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

daquelaLevel 3Then: Daquela

Learn This First

Daquela can locate a past situation or introduce a conclusion.

Words in This Pattern

daqueladaquela