Question 1

Why do we say "Fue ayer cuando" instead of just putting "ayer" at the start or end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

This is a cleft sentence used for emphasis. By putting fue (it was) in front of ayer and following it with cuando (when), you put a strong spotlight on the specific day rather than the action. It translates perfectly to "It was yesterday when..."

Question 2

Do the tenses in both parts of this sentence need to match?

Accepted Answer

Generally, yes! Since the decision happened in the past (decidió), the verb ser must also be in the past tense (fue). If it were happening today, you would use the present tense for both: Es hoy cuando decide chivarse.

Question 3

Is "chivarse" a common verb in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Yes, chivarse is a very common, everyday word in Spain meaning "to snitch," "to tell on," or "to tattle." It always requires reflexive pronouns like me, te, or se. If you want to say who the person snitched on, you add the preposition de (for example, se chivó de ti - he snitched on you).

Question 4

Could I use "que" instead of "cuando" here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will often hear native speakers say Fue ayer que el mentiroso decidió chivarse. However, using cuando to refer back to a time (just as you use donde for places and quien for people) is the most standard, precise way to build this type of emphasis sentence.

Fue ayer cuando el mentiroso decidió chivarse.

Breakdown of Fue ayer cuando el mentiroso decidió chivarse.

Questions & Answers about Fue ayer cuando el mentiroso decidió chivarse.

Learn Fue ayer cuando el mentiroso decidió chivarse and more in Spanish