The subjunctive is an incredibly common feature of Spanish, unlike English, where it most often features in the phrase “If I were…”
And whilst in English, we may choose not to use it or use it sparingly (except when singing along to Beyoncé’s “If I were a boy”), avoiding the subjunctive in Spanish is pretty impossible if you want to express yourself even in basic terms.
If you’re still in the early stages of your learning, the easiest route into the subjunctive is to simply memorise set phrases, rather than worrying about extensive verb tables. And a great way to memorise an expression is through music.
Here are my favourite subjunctive phrases for everyone from beginners to B1 learners, some with accompanying songs that’ll help you memorise them as if Spanish were your mother tongue!
Si yo fuera [+ adjective]
Meaning: If I were…
Uses:
1) Give advice: “Si yo fuera tú, hablaría con tu pareja sobre el asunto” = If I were you, I’d speak to your partner about the issue.
2) Get hypothetical: Si yo fuera rico, compraria una casa grande = If I were rich, I’d buy a big house.
Manu Chao’s Maradona-inspired adaptation of La Vida Tombola will cement the expression “si yo fuera” in your head forever.
…o sea…
Meaning: that is to say / i.e. / as in / so / or more like / in other words
Use: a connecting expression between a point made, and an elaboration of said point, or further clarification:
Delia no encontró la casa, o sea, le dimos mal las indicaciones para llegar = Delia didn’t find the house, or more like, we gave her the wrong directions to get there.
No me gustan los lácteos, o sea que no como queso = I don’t like dairy so I don’t eat cheese.
Que sepas que [+ verb]
Meaning: Know that…
Use: this is a shortening of a longer phrase, from quiero que/espero que sepas que… = I want you to/I hope that you know that…
Que sepas que quiero lo mejor para ti = know that I want the best for you
Simply add a conjugated present tense verb onto the end of “que sepas que” and finish your sentences with what you want the other person to know!
Pase lo que pase
Meaning: come what may / whatever happens / come hell or high water
Use: this is used to state that something that will definitely happen, regardless of other circumstances that may arise.
Después del partido os invito a una copa, pase lo que pase = After the match we’re going for a drink, whatever happens
This is not to be confused with: lo que tiene que pasar, pasará = whatever happens, happens / what will be, will be
This second phrase refers to the need to “go with the flow,” and suggests that we cannot control the future.
Cuando tengas tiempo
Meaning: when(ever) you have time
Use: this refers to a non-specific time in the future. If you want to be specific, instead say “si tienes tiempo este tarde, ¿me puedes ayudar, por favor?” = if you have time this afternoon, can you help me, please?
– ¿Cuando necesitas ayuda? – Cuando tengas tiempo
– When do you need help? – Whenever you have time
¡Venga!
Meaning: Come on! / Let’s go!
Uses: there are many uses and meanings of ¡Venga!; a particularly useful one is to motivate someone or hurry them along in one simple word.
¡Venga, que se nos hace tarde! = Come on! We are going to be late.
¡Venga! ¡Sí que puedes! = Come on! You can do it!
¡No me digas!
Meaning: literal: don’t tell me, figurative: No way! / Yeh right! / You’re kidding!
Uses: with the “don’t tell me” meaning, it’s pretty self-explanatory. With the figurative meaning, you use it to express disbelief or surprise:
No me digas tonterías = don’t tell me such nonsense.
¡No me digas! = No way! / Yeh right! / You’re kidding!
¡Vaya [+ noun]!
Meaning: What a ……!
Uses: this can be used to express praise or scorn in equal measure:
¡Vaya coche el que me compré! = What a car I bought myself!
¡Vaya tonto/a! = What a dummy!
Como/cuando/donde quieras
Meaning:
Como quieras = as you wish / whatever you want
Cuando quieras = whenever you’d like
Donde quieras = wherever you’d like
Use: these are used as polite offers to let someone else decide something.
– ¿A qué hora marchamos? – ¡Cuando quieras! = – When shall we leave? – Whenever you’d like! / It’s up to you!
Qué lo pases bien
Meaning: have a good time.
Use: this is usually a parting comment at the end of a conversation.
If someone’s about to go on holiday, you can tell them ¡Qué lo pases bien!
Final thoughts
The quickest way to learn the subjunctive is to hear it as much as possible; that way, it starts to become intuitive. That may sound absurd if you’re just starting out with the subjunctive mood, but I promise, it’ll happen!
Dedicated study alongside exposure through film, TV, podcasts and music is also important. A resource I love for Spanish grammar is studyspanish.com, where under Unit 7, you will find extensive explanations of the different uses of the subjunctive, with accompanying (and free) basic quizzes and mini tests in the left-hand margin.
These are really useful stock phrases to memorise; once you learn them, you’ll starting hearing them everywhere!
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