Understanding the different past tenses of tener
I'm trying to understand the different ways to used some verbs.

I understand that imperfect past tense tener is used to describe someone's age in the past.

Yo tenía 13 años cuando vivía aquí.

I was 13 when I lived here.

Cuando mi hermano tuvo 18 años, se casó a su esposa.

Excuse the grammar if it is wrong, but I believe using "tuvo" this way would mean... When my brother turned 18, he married his wife.

Am I understanding this correctly?

Thank you.

Question

Understanding the different past tenses of tener
I'm trying to understand the different ways to used some verbs.

I understand that imperfect past tense tener is used to describe someone's age in the past.

Yo tenía 13 años cuando vivía aquí.

I was 13 when I lived here.

Cuando mi hermano tuvo 18 años, se casó a su esposa.

Excuse the grammar if it is wrong, but I believe using "tuvo" this way would mean... When my brother turned 18, he married his wife.

Am I understanding this correctly?

Thank you.

Answer

Yes, you are right, "Cuando mi hermano tuvo 18 años" equals "When my brother turned 18" but it would be more common and accurate to say "Cuando mi hermano cumplió 18  años"

Answer

Exactly what you said is perfectly correct, if you used "tenía" instead it would mean "when he was 18" but in the sense of "during the time he was 18", so with tuve it means when he turned 18.

I hope I have helped you, if you have any other doubt don't hesitate and contact me.
Cristina.

Answer

Hi Day!

You have to say:

"Cuando mi hermano tenía 18 se casó con su esposa.

Pretérito perfecto simple (tuvo) the action is finished doesn't matter when.
Pretérito imperfecto ( tenía) the acción is finished at the moment you are talking

There is a little difference :)

I hope I helped you.

Have a nice day

Answer

Estás en lo correcto Day.

*Cuando mi hermano tenía 18 años, se casó con su esposa.

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