Cuando eras/era joven

[serendipity]

If I want to ask someone "what kind of food did you eat when you were young?", do you say "cuando eras joven" or "cuando era joven"?

Is this correct?

"Qué tipo de comida comiste cuando eras joven?"

And "do you still like the same kind of food"...

"Aún te gusta el mismo tipo de comida?"

Thanks!

[wrholt]

The choice depends on whether it is appropriate to address the other person in a polite or formal manner (use "usted") or in a friendly or informal manner (use "tú").

Originally Posted by serendipity

If I want to ask someone "what kind of food did you eat when you were young?", do you say "cuando eras joven" (familiar) or "cuando era joven" (polite)?

Is this correct?

"¿Qué tipo de comida comiste cuando eras joven?" (familiar)
"¿Qué tipo de comida comió (usted) cuando era joven?" (polite; saying "usted" is optional, and it is generally left out most of the time once the conversation has started, unless you're also talking about other people and need to avoid confusion.)

And "do you still like the same kind of food"...

"¿Aún te gusta el mismo tipo de comida?" (familiar)
"¿Aún le gusta (a usted) el mismo tipo de comida?" (polite; habits of saying/omitting "a usted" to clarify the indirect object pronoun 'le' is the same as with 'usted' as the subject)

Thanks!

[serendipity]

Thank you! I'll be interviewing complete strangers, so I'll definitely be using the polite form.

[micho]

Originally Posted by serendipity

If I want to ask someone "what kind of food did you eat when you were young?", do you say "cuando eras joven" or "cuando era joven"?

Is this correct?

"Qué tipo de comida comiste cuando eras joven?"

And "do you still like the same kind of food"...

"Aún te gusta el mismo tipo de comida?"

Thanks!

Para mí son correctas las dos frases en lenguaje coloquial. Falta el signo de interrogación al principio de las dos preguntas.

[Sancho Panther]

Originally Posted by micho

Falta el signo de interrogación al principio de las dos preguntas.

Teclas inglesas ¿ = Alt + 0191; ¡ = Alt + 0161.