Temporal Subordinate Clauses with Hina and Indama

Think of indama and hina as time-travel connectors. They lock two actions together. Action A happens at the same time as Action B. Or Action A triggers Action B.

• Indama (عِندَما): This is the heavy lifter. It's standard, strong, and very common. Use it for "when" in most statements.
• Hina (حينَ): This is the elegant cousin. It means "at the time when." It's softer, slightly more specific to a moment.

They both sit at the start of the subordinate clause (the "when" part). They define the timeline. The rest of the sentence follows their lead. It's like setting a scene in a movie. "When the sun set..." (Scene set). "...we ate dinner." (Action).

1. 1Building these sentences is like making a sandwich. You need the bread (the particle) and the filling (the verbs).
2. 2The Particle: Start with indama or hina.
3. 3The Condition/Time: Add the first verb (Past or Present tense).
4. 4The Subject: Who is doing it? (Attached or separate).
5. 5The Result: Add the main clause (what happens consequence).
6. 6Pattern A (Past Events):
7. 7Indama + [Past Verb] + [Subject] ..., [Past Verb] + ...
8. 8*Indama wasala al-qitar, rakibna.* (When the train arrived, we boarded.)
9. 9Pattern B (Habits/General Truths):
10. 10Hina + [Present Verb] + ..., [Present Verb] + ...
11. 11*Hina adrusu, ansa al-waqt.* (When/At the time I study, I forget time.)

Use these patterns constantly. Seriously. They are everywhere.

• Narrating the Past: Telling someone about your weekend? "When I went to the market..."
• Describing Habits: "When I wake up, I drink coffee."
• Formal Writing: Essays, emails to professors, job applications.
• Setting Context: Explaining *why* something happened by explaining *when* it happened.

Real World Scenario: You are at a cafe. The waiter asks when you want your coffee. You say, "Indama (when) I finish my meal." Boom. Perfect timing.

Don't get trigger happy. There are times to avoid these.

• Questions: Do NOT use indama to ask "When are you coming?" That's mata (مَتى). Using indama there is a classic rookie mistake. It sounds like you are starting a statement and then just... stopped.
• Future Conditionals (Strict): If you mean "If/When" in a future conditional sense (like "When I get rich..."), idha (إِذا) is often the better, more natural choice for the future, though indama works for factual future certainty.

Even advanced learners trip over these wires. Watch out.

• The Question Trap: Using indama for questions. ✗ *Indama ta'kulu?* (When do you eat? - WRONG). ✓ *Mata ta'kulu?* (Correct).
• Tense Clashing: Mixing distinct future markers strangely. Keep it simple. Past-Past or Present-Present usually flows best for these patterns.
• Ignoring Hina: Learners stick to indama like glue. Branch out! Use hina to sound more refined. It adds flavor.
• The "That" Confusion: Sometimes people try to add an (أن) after them. Don't. Indama stands alone. It doesn't need a babysitter.

Let's clear up the "When" confusion. It's a crowded party.

• Indama vs. Mata: Indama is a statement connector. Mata is a question word. Keep them separated. Like oil and water.
• Indama vs. Idha: Idha feels more like "If/Whenever." It has a conditional flavor. Indama is more factual. "When this happens." Idha is often for the future. Indama loves the past and present.
• Hina vs. Waqta: You might hear waqta (time of). Hina is a conjunction here. Waqta acts more like a noun in a construct. Hina flows better into a full verbal sentence.

Q: Can I swap indama and hina?

90% of the time? Yes. Indama is safer. Hina is stylish. Think of indama as jeans and hina as chinos.

Q: Do I need a comma?

In speaking? Pause. In writing? Yes, a comma between the clauses helps readability, just like in English.

Q: Can I start the sentence with the result?

Absolutely. "I focus indama I study." Just like English. The meaning stays the same, just the emphasis shifts.

Q: Is this formal or slang?

Both are Standard Arabic (MSA). In dialects (Ammiya), they change (like lamma in Levantine/Egyptian). But for B2, stick to indama/hina for proper structure.