Learn the Spanish Phrase “Cuando Sea Grande…”

One thing many kids love talking about is what they want to be and do when they grow up. They imagine themselves doing the coolest things! And as parents, we love that!

Hearing them talk about their dreams and imagining what they could do is a beautiful thing to witness. There’s nothing that we want more than for them to be whatever they want when they grow up.

Let’s be honest, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” is also one of the most common questions kids get asked.

So, it’s essential your kids learn how to say “when I grow up…” in Spanish. This way, they’ll be able to talk in their second language and with native Spanish-speaking kids about their future dreams.

So here’s a guide to learn the Spanish phrase “cuando se grande…”

Vocabulary Used in This Blog

Here are some words related to professions used throughout this blog. We recommend your kids learn these, because they’re common words for everyday:

1. Bombero (male) / Bombera (female) – Firefighter
2. Cantante – Singer
3. Actor / Actríz – Actor / Actress
4. Doctor (male) / Doctora (female) – Doctor
5. Astronauta – Astronaut
6. Chef – Chef
7. Futbolista – Football player
8. Veterinario (male) / Veterinaria (female) – Veterinarian
9. Maestro (male) / Maestra (female) – Teacher
10. Bailarín (male) / Bailarina (female) – Ballet dancer / Ballerina / Dancer

Now, here are some other important words used on this blog that are also commonly used in daily life:

1. Maratón – Marathon
2. Millonario – Millionaire
3. Perritos – Dogs (in diminutive) / Little dogs
4. Casa – House
5. Verde – Green
6. Rescatar – To rescue
7. Jugar – To play
8. Correr – To run
9. Pintar – To paint

Phrases in Spanish with “Cuando Sea Grande…” + I Want to Be

When talking about what they’re going to be when they grow up, kids usually talk about their wishes, what they want.

A common structure in Spanish for this kind of sentences is:
“Cuando sea grande” (When I grow up) + “quiero ser” (I want to be).

So, here are some Spanish phrases using this structure that your kids might want to use to talk about their future professions and wishes:

1. Cuando sea grande quiero ser bombero. / When I grow up, I want to be a firefighter.
2. Cuando sea grande quiero ser cantante. / When I grow up, I want to be a singer.
3. Cuando sea grande quiero ser actor. / When I grow up, I want to be an actress.
4. Cuando sea grande quiero ser doctora. / When I grow up, I want to be a doctor.
5. Cuando sea grande quiero ser astronauta. / When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut.

Phrases in Spanish with “Cuando Sea Grande” + “I’m going to be”

Another way to talk in Spanish about their future selves and dreams is using the structure:
“Cuando sea grande” + “Voy a ser” (I’m going to be)

This, more than just the wishes, expresses confidence, like you’re sure you’re going to be that.

1. Cuando sea grande voy a ser chef. / When I grow up I want to be a chef.
2. Cuando sea grande voy a ser futbolista. / When I grow up I’m going to be a football player.
3. Cuando sea grande voy a ser veterinario. / When I grow up I’m going to be a veterinarian.
4. Cuando sea grande voy a ser maestra. / When I grow up, I’m going to be a teacher.
5. Cuando sea grande voy a ser bailarina de ballet. / When I grow up, I’m going to be a ballerina.

They could also use the verb to be “ser” in future and lose the “going to”:
“Cuando sea grande” + Verb to be in future tense

For example: “Cuando sea grande seré maestra” (When I grow up, I’ll be a teacher).

Phrases in Spanish with “Cuando Sea Grande” + Actions

Children can also talk about their future by saying the things they want to do, not professions necessarily, but actions.

For this, they can use the next structure:
“Cuando sea grande” + “Voy a” (I’m going to) + Verbos (verbs) + Sustantivos (nouns) (*optional) + Adjetivos (adjectives) (*optional)

For example:

1. Cuando sea grande voy a correr un maratón. / When I grow up, I’m going to run a marathon.
2. Cuando sea grande voy a ser millonario. / When I grow up, I’m going to be a millionaire.
3. Cuando sea grande voy a rescatar muchos perritos de la calle. / When I grow up, I’m going to rescue many stray dogs.
4. Cuando sea grande, voy a jugar todo el tiempo. / When I grow up, I’m going to play all the time.
5. Cuando sea grande voy a pintar toda mi casa de color verde. / When I grow up, I’m going to paint my whole house green.

They could also use the verbs in future and lose the “going to”:
“Cuando sea grande” + Verb in future tense

For example: “Cuando sea grande correré un maratón” (When I grow up, I’ll run a marathon).

Give Your Kids a Brighter Future in Spanish!

There are many things you can do to help your kids get a brighter future. One of them is enrolling them in Spanish classes. After all, Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world and it’ll bring many benefits to their lives.

So, if you’re ready to take that step, we’re ready to help you! Here at TruFluency Kids we offer online Spanish lessons with native teachers!

We teach through different fun activities, like singing, dancing, reading, playing games, doing arts & crafts, and even cooking. All in Spanish! Students also get to speak in every single class! It’s the best way to achieve Spanish fluency.

Enroll them in our next 4-week session and watch them grow to be Spanish fluent!