Spanish commands come in affirmative and negative pairs — and the forms are different. Learning the pattern once lets you give commands with any verb.
rule 1How affirmative commands are formed
tú — take the present tense tú form and drop the -s
habla
speak! (tú)
hablar → tú hablas → habla
come
eat! (tú)
comer → tú comes → come
abre
open! (tú)
abrir → tú abres → abre
cierra
close! (tú)
cerrar → tú cierras → cierra (stem change carries over)
usted — take yo present, drop the -o, swap the vowel ending
hable
speak! (usted)
yo hablo → habl- + e (–ar verbs get –e)
coma
eat! (usted)
yo como → com- + a (–er/–ir verbs get –a)
tenga
have! (usted)
yo tengo → teng- + a (the g from yo carries over!)
salga
leave! (usted)
yo salgo → salg- + a (same pattern — g carries over)
nosotros — same as usted but add -mos
hablemos
let's speak!
habl- + emos
comamos
let's eat!
com- + amos
tengamos
let's have!
teng- + amos
salgamos
let's leave!
salg- + amos
rule 28 irregular tú commands — memorize these
These 8 verbs don't follow the drop-the-s rule — each has a unique one-syllable tú form
di
say / tell
decir → di (not dice)
haz
do / make
hacer → haz (not hace)
ve
go
ir → ve (not va)
pon
put / place
poner → pon (not pone)
sal
leave / go out
salir → sal (not sale)
sé
be
ser → sé (accent mark distinguishes it from the pronoun se)
ten
have
tener → ten (not tiene)
ven
come
venir → ven (not viene)
Mnemonic — the first letter of each spells a phrase
di haz ve pon sal sé ten ven decir · hacer · ir · poner · salir · ser · tener · venir
Their negative forms are completely regular — use the normal subjunctive
no digas · no hagas
don't say · don't do
irregular tú aff, but regular neg: dig- / hag-
no vayas · no pongas
don't go · don't put
vay- / pong- — the g still comes from yo present
no salgas · no tengas
don't leave · don't have
salg- / teng- — same pattern
no seas · no vengas
don't be · don't come
se- / veng- — irregular subjunctive stems
rule 3Negative commands — always the subjunctive
The pattern: no + subjunctive form — for all three subjects
No hables.
Don't speak. (tú)
–ar verb → subjunctive tú ends in –es
No hable.
Don't speak. (usted)
same stem + –e (usted affirmative and negative are identical)
No hablemos.
Let's not speak.
–emos for nosotros
No comas. / No coma. / No comamos.
Don't eat. / Don't eat. / Let's not eat.
–er verb → subjunctive uses –a endings
Watch out — spelling changes stay in the negative
No busques.
Don't look for it.
buscar: c → qu before e
No cruces.
Don't cross.
cruzar: z → c before e
No llegues.
Don't arrive.
llegar: g → gu before e
No empieces.
Don't start.
empezar: z → c and e → ie stem change
rule 4Pronouns with commands
Affirmative — the pronoun attaches to the end of the verb
Siéntate. / Siéntese.
Sit down.
sienta + te → siéntate (accent added: now 3 syllables)
Levántate. / Levántese.
Stand up.
levanta + te → levántate (accent on the 3rd-to-last syllable)
Póngalo aquí.
Put it here.
ponga + lo → póngalo (DO pronoun attaches; accent added)
Dímelo. / Dígamelo.
Tell it to me.
di + me + lo → dímelo (IO before DO; accent on the stem)
Negative — the pronoun goes before the verb, no accent needed
No te sientes. / No se siente.
Don't sit down.
pronoun moves in front — no accent needed
No te levantes. / No se levante.
Don't stand up.
same: pronoun before the verb
No lo pongas ahí.
Don't put it there.
DO pronoun before verb; order: pronoun → no → verb
No me lo digas. / No me lo diga.
Don't tell it to me.
IO then DO, both before verb: no + me + lo + digas
The accent rule — when does an accent appear?
When a pronoun attaches to an affirmative command, count back three syllables from the end — that syllable needs an accent mark. sienta → sién·ta·te · ponga → pón·ga·lo · di → dí·me·lo In negative commands, pronouns go before the verb — no accent change is ever needed.
These three English ideas each map to a specific Spanish construction — sometimes more than one, depending on nuance.
wouldExpressing "would" — the conditional
The big idea
Unlike "could" (poder) and "should" (deber) — which each involve just one verb — "would" is a pattern you apply to almost any verb in Spanish. Add the conditional endings (-ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -ían) to the stem of virtually any verb and you've said "would [verb]." One rule, unlimited reach: comería (would eat), viviría (would live), hablaría (would speak), trabajaría (would work). Master the conditional endings and you can express "would" with the entire Spanish verb library.
Conditional endings — add to verb stem
yo-ía → hablar → hablaría
tú-ías → comer → comerías
él/ella-ía → vivir → viviría
nosotros-íamos → ir → iríamos
ellos/ellas-ían → saber → sabrían
Irregular stems — these common verbs change their stem first
quererto want → querr- → querría
saberto know → sabr- → sabría
tenerto have → tendr- → tendría
venirto come → vendr- → vendría
hacerto do/make → har- → haría
decirto say/tell → dir- → diría
Same endings (-ía, -ías…) — just a different stem. Regular verbs like hablar, comer, vivir use the full infinitive as their stem.
Common "would" expressions
English
I would like
polite desire
Spanish
me gustaría
also: quisiera (softer)
English
I would go
hypothetical action
Spanish
iría
conditional of ir
English
I would love to
strong enthusiasm
Spanish
me encantaría
conditional of encantar
Conjugations
querer — querría
yoquerría
túquerrías
él/ellaquerría
nosotrosquerríamos
ellos/ellasquerrían
gustar — me gustaría
me (yo)me gustaría
te (tú)te gustaría
le (él/ella)le gustaría
nos (nosotros)nos gustaría
les (ellos)les gustaría
Examples
Me gustaría una mesa para dos, por favor.
I would like a table for two, please.
Most common polite request in restaurants
¿Querrías venir con nosotros?
Would you like to come with us?
Ellos querrían saber la verdad.
They would want to know the truth.
couldExpressing "could" — two different constructions
The rule
podría / podía + infinitive — the verb that follows is always unconjugated. Think of it like English: "could help, could go, could eat" — the second verb never changes. · ¿Podrías llamarme? · Podía correr rápido.
English
Could you help me?
polite request / hypothetical
Spanish
¿Podría ayudarme?
conditional of poder
English
I could run fast (back then)
past ability
Spanish
Podía correr rápido.
imperfect of poder
Conjugations — poder: conditional vs. imperfect
poder conditional — podría
yopodría
túpodrías
él/ellapodría
nosotrospodríamos
ellos/ellaspodrían
poder imperfect — podía
yopodía
túpodías
él/ellapodía
nosotrospodíamos
ellos/ellaspodían
Key distinction
podría = hypothetical or polite ("could" looking forward) · podía = past ability ("could" looking back)
Examples
¿Podrías llamarme más tarde?
Could you call me later?
Polite — more natural than ¿Puedes…?
Cuando era joven, podía dormir hasta el mediodía.
When I was young, I could sleep until noon.
Past ability — imperfect
Ellos podrían ayudarnos si se lo pedimos.
They could help us if we ask them.
shouldExpressing "should" — deber in conditional
The rule
debería + infinitive — the verb that follows is always unconjugated. Just like English: "should rest, should go, should call" — the second verb never changes. · Deberías descansar. · Deberíamos salir.
English
You should rest.
advice / recommendation
Spanish
Deberías descansar.
conditional of deber
English
I should have called.
regret about the past
Spanish
Debería haber llamado.
conditional + haber + participio
English
We should go.
suggestion including yourself
Spanish
Deberíamos ir.
also: hay que ir (impersonal)
Conjugations — deber (conditional)
deber conditional — debería
yodebería
túdeberías
él/elladebería
nosotrosdeberíamos
ellos/ellasdeberían
Examples
Deberías probar el ceviche — está buenísimo aquí.
You should try the ceviche — it's really good here.
Natural recommendation, very common in Panama
Debería haber llegado más temprano.
I should have arrived earlier.
Deberíamos salir ya — hay mucho tráfico.
We should leave now — there's a lot of traffic.
Very natural in everyday Panamanian speech
Watch out
avoid
Debes descansar.
present = strong obligation, sounds like a command
Afectivo verbs flip the usual sentence around. The thing causing the feeling is the grammatical subject, and the person affected is an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les). The verb agrees with the thing, not the person.
indirect object pronounsThe pronoun marks who is affected — not the subject
IOP — who is affected
(a mí)me
(a ti)te
(a él/ella/usted)le
(a nosotros)nos
(a ellos/ellas/ustedes)les
gustarThe verb agrees with the thing liked, not the person
singular thing liked — gusta
megusta el café
tegusta el café
legusta el café
nosgusta el café
lesgusta el café
plural things liked — gustan
megustan las playas
tegustan las playas
legustan las playas
nosgustan las playas
lesgustan las playas
Core rule
Me gusta el café.
Coffee is pleasing to me. → I like coffee.
El café is the subject — singular, so gusta
Me gustan las playas de Bocas.
The beaches are pleasing to me. → I like the beaches.
Las playas is the subject — plural, so gustan
Me gustaría ir contigo.
I would like to go with you.
gustaría = conditional, very common for polite requests
other gustar-style verbsSame pattern, different feelings
Core feeling / reaction verbs
Me encanta Panamá. / Me encantan las playas.
I love Panama. / I love the beaches.
encantar — stronger than gustar
Me interesa la historia. / Me interesan estos documentos.
I'm interested in history. / I'm interested in these documents.
interesar — useful for services, banking, classes
No me importa. / Me importan los detalles.
I don't care. / The details matter to me.
importar — often used with no mucho/nada
Me molesta el ruido. / Me molestan las filas largas.
The noise bothers me. / Long lines bother me.
Me duele la cabeza. / Me duelen los pies.
My head hurts. / My feet hurt.
doler — very important for body pain; agrees with the body part
Me preocupa el trámite. / Me preocupan los requisitos.
The paperwork worries me. / The requirements worry me.
Me sorprende la noticia. / Me sorprenden los precios.
The news surprises me. / The prices surprise me.
Me fascina la cultura. / Me fascinan los mercados.
I'm fascinated by the culture. / I'm fascinated by the markets.
fascinar — stronger than interesar
Me alegra verte.
It makes me happy to see you.
alegrar — common with infinitive or que-clause
Me asusta manejar de noche. / Me asustan las cucarachas.
Driving at night scares me. / Cockroaches scare me.
Me cansa el calor. / Me cansan las caminatas largas.
The heat tires me out. / Long walks tire me out.
Me divierte el juego. / Me divierten esos videos.
The game amuses me. / Those videos amuse me.
divierte/divierten — stem-changing e→ie
Me entristece la situación.
The situation saddens me.
Me emociona el viaje.
The trip excites me.
Me enoja esperar tanto.
Waiting so long angers me.
Me aburre esta película.
This movie bores me.
Daily-life practical verbs
Me falta una copia. / Me faltan dos documentos.
I'm missing a copy. / I'm missing two documents.
faltar — essential for paperwork; the missing thing is the subject
Me queda una cita. / Me quedan dos dólares.
I have one appointment left. / I have two dollars left.
quedar — can also mean clothing fits: me queda bien
Me parece difícil. / Me parecen útiles.
It seems hard to me. / They seem useful to me.
parecer — useful for opinions: me parece que...
Me conviene ir temprano.
It's better for me to go early.
convenir — like venir; irregular future/conditional: convendría
Me toca firmar aquí. / Me tocaron dos citas esta semana.
It's my turn to sign here. / I got two appointments this week.
tocar (afectivo) — separate from regular tocar (touch/play/knock)
Me corresponde entregar el formulario.
It's my responsibility to turn in the form.
corresponder — formal, useful in administrative situations
Me cuesta entenderlo. / Me cuestan las conjugaciones.
It's hard for me to understand it. / Conjugations are hard for me.
costar (afectivo) — often means something is difficult for me
Me sirve este horario.
This schedule works for me.
Me alcanza el dinero. / Me alcanzan veinte dólares.
I have enough money. / Twenty dollars is enough for me.
alcanzar — useful for money and time
Me basta con una copia.
One copy is enough for me.
bastar — often used with con
Me sobra tiempo. / Me sobran quince minutos.
I have time to spare. / I have fifteen minutes to spare.
sobrar — opposite idea from faltar
dar + nounA fixed expression that follows the same IOP pattern
Instead of a feeling verb, these expressions use dar (to give) plus a fixed noun. The noun is the cause, dar agrees with it, and the IOP marks who feels it — exactly like gustar.
dar miedo — to scare
meda miedo la tormenta
teda miedo manejar de noche
ledan miedo las tormentas
dar vergüenza — to embarrass
meda vergüenza hablar
teda vergüenza hablar español
ledan vergüenza sus errores
Me da pena preguntar.
I'm embarrassed to ask. / It makes me feel bad to ask.
dar pena — meaning varies by country: embarrassment, sadness, sympathy
Me da risa la historia. / Me dan risa esos memes.
The story makes me laugh. / Those memes make me laugh.
Me da sueño la clase. / Me dan sueño las reuniones largas.
The class makes me sleepy. / Long meetings make me sleepy.
Me da hambre caminar tanto.
Walking so much makes me hungry.
when the cause is an action, it's always singular: da
Me da sed el calor.
The heat makes me thirsty.
Me dan ganas de descansar.
It makes me feel like resting.
dar ganas de — verb agrees with subject: singular → da/dio, plural → dan/dieron
Me da igual.
It's all the same to me. / I don't mind either way.
dar igual — depending on tone, can sound indifferent or genuinely easygoing
Demonstratives point to things — this, that, those. In Spanish they agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Location adverbs (aquí, allí, allá) tell you where something is relative to the speaker.
near the speakereste / esta / estos / estas — this / these
singular
masc.este libro
fem.esta mesa
plural
masc.estos libros
fem.estas mesas
¿Quieres probar este plato?
Do you want to try this dish?
Right in front of the speaker — use este
Esta semana tengo cita con el médico.
This week I have an appointment with the doctor.
Esta semana / este año — time expressions close to now
Aquí — right here, next to the speaker
Use with este/esta to reinforce nearness: esta mesa de aquí
near the listenerese / esa / esos / esas — that / those
singular
masc.ese libro
fem.esa mesa
plural
masc.esos libros
fem.esas mesas
Ese señor de allí me preguntó la hora.
That man over there asked me for the time.
Closer to the listener or just beyond immediate reach
Ahí — there, near the listener
Pairs naturally with ese/esa: esa tienda de ahí
far from bothaquel / aquella / aquellos / aquellas — that (over there) / those (over there)
singular
masc.aquel edificio
fem.aquella época
plural
masc.aquellos años
fem.aquellas montañas
¿Ves aquel edificio al fondo?
Do you see that building in the back?
Far away from both speaker and listener
Aquellos años eran muy tranquilos.
Those years were very peaceful.
Also common for distant past — events long ago
Allí / allá — over there, far from both
Allí = specific distant point; allá = general far area
pronounsesto / eso / aquello — this / that (no noun, no gender)
These neuter pronouns stand alone — no noun follows, and they never change form. Use them to refer to an idea, a situation, or something unidentified.
Esto es lo que necesito.
This is what I need.
esto — refers to something right here or just mentioned
No entiendo eso que me explicaste.
I don't understand that thing you explained to me.
eso — refers to something the listener said or knows
Aquello fue una locura.
That was crazy.
aquello — distant in space or time; often used for past events
location adverbsaquí · acá · ahí · allí · allá
distance from speaker
near speakeraquí / acá
near listenerahí
far from bothallí / allá
aquí vs. acá
aquí = here (fixed point) · acá = here (this general area / come here)
allí vs. allá
allí = there (specific point) · allá = over there (general direction)
Ven para acá. / Está por allá.
Come over here. / It's around there somewhere.
para acá / por allá — common in spoken Spanish for direction
Spanish uses three different verbs for weather — the choice depends on whether you're describing a sensation, a phenomenon, or an observable condition. All are impersonal (no subject).
HACER — sensations
Use hacer for felt/experienced weather: heat, cold, sun, wind, and general conditions.
Hot / Cold
It is hot. / It is cold.
Spanish
Hace calor. / Hace frío.
bodily sensations — what you feel
Sun / Wind
It is sunny. / It is windy.
Spanish
Hace sol. / Hace viento.
experienced conditions
Nice / Bad weather
The weather is nice. / The weather is bad.
Spanish
Hace buen tiempo. / Hace mal tiempo.
general weather assessment
Past — ongoing (imperfect)
It was very hot when we left.
Spanish
Hacía mucho calor cuando salimos.
imperfect = condition was ongoing
Past — specific event (preterite)
Yesterday it was cold all day.
Spanish
Ayer hizo frío todo el día.
preterite = completed, time-bounded
Future
Tomorrow it will be sunny.
Spanish
Mañana hará sol.
future tense — forecast
Conditional
It would be nice if it were sunny.
Spanish
Haría sol si no hubiera nubes.
conditional — hypothetical
HAY / HABER — phenomena
Use hay (present of haber) when a weather phenomenon exists as a thing in the atmosphere: fog, a storm, lightning, a breeze.
Fog / Storm
There is fog. / There is a storm.
Spanish
Hay niebla. / Hay tormenta.
the phenomenon exists right now
Lightning / Breeze
There is lightning. / There is a breeze.
Spanish
Hay rayos. / Hay brisa.
hay + noun (no article usually)
Past — ongoing (imperfect)
There was a lot of fog when we arrived.
Spanish
Había mucha niebla cuando llegamos.
imperfect = it was there, ongoing
Past — event (preterite)
There was a huge downpour yesterday.
Spanish
Hubo un aguacero enorme ayer.
hubo = it occurred (completed event)
Future
Tomorrow there will be a thunderstorm.
Spanish
Mañana habrá tormenta eléctrica.
habrá = future of haber
ESTAR — observable conditions
Use estar when describing a visual or observable state of the sky or atmosphere.
Cloudy / Clear
It is cloudy. / It is clear.
Spanish
Está nublado. / Está despejado.
observable sky condition
Sunny (sky looks sunny)
It is sunny out.
Spanish
Está soleado.
vs. hace sol (you feel the sun) — both are used
Humid / Muggy
It is humid and muggy today.
Spanish
Está húmedo y bochornoso hoy.
atmospheric condition you observe/feel
Past — ongoing (imperfect)
It was very cool after the rain.
Spanish
Estaba muy fresco después de la lluvia.
imperfect = ongoing state
Asking about conditions
What is the weather like today?
Spanish
¿Cómo está el tiempo hoy?
estar + el tiempo = current condition
Impersonal Weather Verbs
These verbs conjugate only in third person singular — no subject, ever.
Both mean "to be" — but they are not interchangeable. The question isn't about time; it's about how you see the quality: is it a defining fact about something, or a condition it happens to be in right now?
the ruleIdentity vs. condition
Ser — who/what something IS 🪪
Ask yourselfDoes this define the person or thing? Would it still be true in a different moment, place, or mood?
Use fororigin, nationality, profession, relationships, material, inherent traits, time & dates, events
ExampleElla es médica.
Estar — how something IS right now 🌡️
Ask yourselfIs this a condition, mood, location, or result that could change? Does it describe a state rather than a definition?
Use forlocation, emotions, health, temporary conditions, progressive actions, resultant states
ExampleElla está cansada hoy.
Mental model
Ser = a label on a name tag — it defines what something fundamentally is. Estar = a status update — it describes how something is at this moment. The same person can ser médica (always) and estar enferma (today).
Same adjective — completely different meaning
Es aburrido.
He is boring. (as a person)
ser → personality trait, defines him
Está aburrido.
He is bored. (right now)
estar → current emotional state
rule 2What ser is used for
Use ser when describing something that defines the subject — facts about identity, origin, or inherent nature that don't depend on mood or circumstance.
Origin, nationality & material
Soy de Panamá.
I'm from Panama.
origin → ser
Esta mesa es de madera.
This table is made of wood.
material/composition → ser
Profession, relationships & identity
Ella es profesora.
She is a teacher.
profession → ser
Él es mi esposo.
He is my husband.
relationship → ser
Inherent traits & time
El café es amargo.
Coffee is bitter.
inherent characteristic → ser
Hoy es lunes.
Today is Monday.
day / date / time → ser
Location of events (not things or people)
La fiesta es en mi casa.
The party is at my house.
event location → ser (the event IS its location)
La boda fue en la catedral.
The wedding was in the cathedral.
past event location → ser
rule 3What estar is used for
Use estar when describing a condition the subject is currently in — something that could change. Location, health, emotions, and progressive actions all fall here.
Location of people & things
Estamos en el Casco.
We are in the Casco.
physical location → estar
Las llaves están en la mesa.
The keys are on the table.
location of a thing → estar
Emotions, health & temporary conditions
Estoy cansada hoy.
I'm tired today.
temporary feeling → estar
El niño estuvo enfermo toda la semana.
The child was sick all week.
health condition → estar
Resultant states & progressive
La puerta está abierta.
The door is open.
resultant state (someone opened it) → estar
Estoy comiendo.
I am eating.
progressive action (estar + -ando/-iendo) → estar
The location exception
People and things use estar for location. But events (parties, meetings, weddings) use ser — because an event IS defined by where it takes place. María está en el parque. / La reunión es en la sala.
watch outAdjectives that shift meaning entirely
Several common adjectives mean something completely different depending on which verb they follow. This isn't about permanent vs. temporary — it's a vocabulary shift.
Es listo. / Está listo.
He is clever. / He is ready.
ser = intelligence (trait) · estar = prepared (state)
Es malo. / Está malo.
He is bad/evil. / He is sick.
ser = moral character · estar = health condition
Es bueno. / Está bueno.
He is a good person. / It tastes good.
ser = character · estar = flavor/attractiveness
Es seguro. / Está seguro.
It is safe. / He is certain/sure.
ser = inherently safe · estar = feeling of certainty
Es rico. / Está rico.
He is wealthy. / It is delicious.
ser = financial status · estar = taste
Es vivo. / Está vivo.
He is sharp/cunning. / He is alive.
ser = personality · estar = biological state
rule 4The rule applies across all tenses
Ser vs. estar isn't just a present-tense question. You have to make the same choice in every tense — past, future, conditional, subjunctive. The underlying logic never changes.
De niño, era muy tímido.
As a child, he was very shy.
imperfect of ser → personality trait in the past
Estaba cansada cuando llegué.
She was tired when I arrived.
imperfect of estar → condition at that moment
La reunión será en la sala grande.
The meeting will be in the large room.
future of ser → location of an event
Los resultados estarán listos mañana.
The results will be ready tomorrow.
future of estar → temporary state
Sería mejor llegar temprano.
It would be better to arrive early.
conditional of ser → inherent judgment
Estaría listo para las tres.
It would be ready by three.
conditional of estar → temporary condition
referenceConjugations — ser & estar across all tenses
ser
Present
yosoy
túeres
él/ellaes
nosotrossomos
ellosson
Preterite
yofui
túfuiste
él/ellafue
nosotrosfuimos
ellosfueron
Imperfect
yoera
túeras
él/ellaera
nosotroséramos
elloseran
Future
yoseré
túserás
él/ellaserá
nosotrosseremos
ellosserán
Conditional
yosería
túserías
él/ellasería
nosotrosseríamos
ellosserían
Subjunctive
yosea
túseas
él/ellasea
nosotrosseamos
ellossean
Present Perfect
yohe sido
túhas sido
él/ellaha sido
nosotroshemos sido
elloshan sido
Pluperfect
yohabía sido
túhabías sido
él/ellahabía sido
nosotroshabíamos sido
elloshabían sido
estar
Present
yoestoy
túestás
él/ellaestá
nosotrosestamos
ellosestán
Preterite
yoestuve
túestuviste
él/ellaestuvo
nosotrosestuvimos
ellosestuvieron
Imperfect
yoestaba
túestabas
él/ellaestaba
nosotrosestábamos
ellosestaban
Future
yoestaré
túestarás
él/ellaestará
nosotrosestaremos
ellosestarán
Conditional
yoestaría
túestarías
él/ellaestaría
nosotrosestaríamos
ellosestarían
Subjunctive
yoesté
túestés
él/ellaesté
nosotrosestemos
ellosestén
Present Perfect
yohe estado
túhas estado
él/ellaha estado
nosotroshemos estado
elloshan estado
Pluperfect
yohabía estado
túhabías estado
él/ellahabía estado
nosotroshabíamos estado
elloshabían estado
watch outMore adjectives that shift meaning
with ser
Es bueno.He is a good person.
Es rico.He is wealthy.
Es muerto.— (not used this way)
Es cansado.He is tiresome. (boring)
Es feliz.He is a happy person. (trait)
with estar
Está bueno.It tastes good / is attractive.
Está rico.It is delicious.
Está muerto.He is dead. (state)
Está cansado.He is tired right now.
Está feliz.He feels happy right now.
decision treeHow to choose: ser or estar?
Quick checklist — run through in order
Is it a progressive construction (–ando/–iendo)? → estar
Is it the location of a person or thing? → estar
Is it the location of an event (party, meeting, wedding)? → ser
Is it identity, origin, material, profession, relationship, time/date? → ser
Is it a temporary state, emotion, health, or resultant condition? → estar
Is it a permanent trait or inherent quality? → ser
Is it an adjective that changes meaning (listo, bueno, malo…)? → check the list above
Both are past tenses, but they do very different jobs. The choice isn't about when something happened — it's about how you're framing it: a snapshot or a running movie.
the ruleSnapshot vs. movie
Preterite — snapshot 📷
Use whenaction is finished, happened once, or changed state at a specific moment
Signal wordsayer, anoche, el lunes, una vez, de repente, por fin, en ese momento, al final
ExampleComí tacos.
Imperfect — movie 🎬
Use whenbackground, ongoing states, habits, descriptions, or repeated actions with no clear end
Signal wordssiempre, todos los días, mientras, cuando era niño, de niño, antes, a veces, generalmente
ExampleComía tacos.
Mental model
Preterite = a photograph (one moment, done). Imperfect = a video playing in the background. When both appear in the same sentence, the imperfect is the movie already running, and the preterite is the new event that starts.
Same verb — very different meaning
Comí tacos.
I ate tacos. (once, done)
preterite — a specific completed meal
Comía tacos.
I used to eat / was eating tacos.
imperfect — habitual or ongoing
rule 2Event interrupts background
When two past actions appear in the same sentence, the imperfect sets the scene (was already happening) and the preterite is the interruption. Classic pattern: imperfect … cuando … preterite.
While I was walking through the park, I saw an accident.
mientras + imperfect = ongoing · preterite = the sudden event during it
Cuando llegué, llovía mucho.
When I arrived, it was raining hard.
llegué = the arrival (preterite) · llovía = condition already in progress (imperfect)
Cuando vivía en Panamá, aprendí español.
When I lived in Panama, I learned Spanish.
vivía = the ongoing life situation · aprendí = the specific achievement
rule 3Descriptions — people, places, weather
When you describe what something was like in the past — appearance, characteristics, or background conditions — use the imperfect. Descriptions don't have an end point; they were simply true.
rule 4Mental & emotional states — and the verbs that shift meaning
Feelings, beliefs, desires, and knowledge are states — they exist over time. Use imperfect for mental and emotional states. But watch out: several key verbs change meaning when you switch tenses.
Pensaba que tenía razón.
I thought / used to think he was right.
ongoing belief → imperfect
Tenía mucho miedo de los perros.
I was very afraid of dogs.
ongoing emotional state → imperfect
Meaning-shift verbs — these change significantly between tenses
saber
sabía = was aware (ongoing state)
Preterite shift
supe = found out (the moment of learning)
conocer
conocía = was familiar with (ongoing)
Preterite shift
conocí = met for the first time (event)
querer
quería = wanted / wished (ongoing desire)
Preterite shift
quise = tried to · no quise = refused
poder
podía = was able to (general ability)
Preterite shift
pude = managed to · no pude = failed to
tener
tenía = had / possessed (ongoing)
Preterite shift
tuve = got / received (moment of obtaining)
rule 5Age, childhood & habitual past
Talking about what you used to do, who you were as a child, or what life was like at a certain age? These are all imperfect — they were ongoing truths, not one-time events.
Age in the past
Cuando tenía diez años, aprendí a nadar.
When I was ten, I learned to swim.
tenía = age as ongoing state (imperfect) · aprendí = the moment it happened (preterite)
Ella tenía veinte años cuando se casó.
She was twenty when she got married.
age at a point in time = state → imperfect
Childhood habits & repeated actions
De niño, jugaba fútbol todos los días.
As a child, I used to play soccer every day.
de niño + todos los días = repeated habit → imperfect
Todos los veranos íbamos a la playa.
Every summer we used to go to the beach.
todos los veranos = repeated pattern → imperfect
Antes caminaba al trabajo.
I used to walk to work.
antes = past habit with no specific end → imperfect
Telling time in the past
Eran las tres de la madrugada cuando llegó.
It was three in the morning when he arrived.
time of day in the past always uses imperfect (eran / era)
rule 6Narrative & story mode
Stories, fairy tales, and narrative writing use both tenses constantly. The imperfect paints the world (what it was like, who the characters were). The preterite moves the plot forward (what happened next, the events, the changes).
Había una vez un rey que vivía en un castillo enorme.
Once upon a time there was a king who lived in an enormous castle.
había / vivía = world-building (imperfect)
La princesa tenía el cabello dorado y era muy valiente.
The princess had golden hair and was very brave.
character description → imperfect
Un día, el dragón atacó el pueblo.
One day, the dragon attacked the village.
un día = the plot event begins → preterite
El guerrero salió de la ciudad y encontró al dragón.
The warrior left the city and found the dragon.
series of plot events → preterite
Pattern to remember
Imperfect = the stage and the actors in place. Preterite = the curtain rises and the story moves. "Había una vez…" sets the stage; "Un día…" starts the action.
conjugationsHablar — preterite & imperfect side by side
English uses "have" in several ways that Spanish keeps completely separate. The choice between haber and tener changes the meaning fundamentally.
the distinctionExistence vs. possession or experience
The big idea
haber = something exists, occurs, or is present — always impersonal, no named subject · tener = a specific person or group has, possesses, experiences, hosts, or receives something. The same English sentence ("we have a meeting tomorrow") becomes two completely different Spanish sentences depending on whether you mean a meeting exists or you are hosting it.
Existence — a meeting will occur
There is going to be a meeting tomorrow.
Spanish
Va a haber una reunión mañana.
haber — impersonal, no subject
Possession — we are hosting one
We are going to have a meeting tomorrow.
Spanish
Vamos a tener una reunión mañana.
tener — conjugated for nosotros
Existence — food is available
There is chicken for dinner.
Spanish
Hay pollo para la cena.
hay — something is present
Possession — we will have it
We are going to have chicken for dinner.
Spanish
Vamos a tener pollo para la cena.
tener — we (the household) have it
Existence — people will be there
There will be many people at the party.
Spanish
Habrá mucha gente en la fiesta.
habrá — people will exist there
Possession — we will host guests
We will have many guests at the party.
Spanish
Tendremos muchos invitados en la fiesta.
tener — we are hosting them
core formsExistential haber across all tenses
Existential haber forms
Presenthay there is / there are
Imperfecthabía there was / there were
Preteritehubo there was; something occurred
Futurehabrá there will be
Ir-Futureva a haber there is going to be
Conditionalhabría there would be
tener — present (for comparison)
yotengo
tútienes
él/ellatiene
nosotrostenemos
ellos/ellastienen
Examples across tenses
Hay muchos problemas en ese vecindario.
There are many problems in that neighborhood.
hay — present existence
Había mucho tráfico en la terminal.
There was a lot of traffic in the terminal.
había — past existence (imperfect)
Hubo un accidente en la carretera principal.
There was an accident on the main road.
hubo — a specific event occurred (preterite)
Habrá dos reuniones la próxima semana.
There will be two meetings next week.
habrá — future existence
important rulesHaber stays singular — and differs from auxiliary haber
Always singular
Existential haber is impersonal. It does not change to agree with a plural noun that follows it. Hay una mesa / Hay tres mesas — haber stays the same regardless of quantity. This is different from English and from the way tener works.
Singular only — even with plural nouns
correct
Va a haber muchas personas.
haber stays singular
not standard
Van a haber muchas personas.
do not pluralize with the noun
correct
Habrá dos reuniones.
habrá — singular
not standard
Habrán dos reuniones.
do not add -n
Existential haber vs. auxiliary haber
The existential haber (hay, había, habrá…) is different from auxiliary haber, which forms perfect tenses and does conjugate by person: he comido (I have eaten) · hemos terminado (we have finished) · habremos llegado (we will have arrived). The Verb Table entry for haber represents the auxiliary use. The existential forms shown here are always impersonal.
Both translate as "have to" in English, but they communicate different types of obligation. This distinction matters in everyday situations: instructions at the bank, residency requirements, workplace rules, travel directions, and household responsibilities.
the distinctionPersonal obligation vs. general necessity
The big idea
tener que = a specific person or group has to do something — you conjugate tener for whoever is responsible · haber que = something generally needs to be done — it is always impersonal, with no subject, and does not change form. "Hay que" sounds like a rule posted on a sign; "tenemos que" means that obligation belongs to us specifically.
Personal — I must do this
I have to go to the bank tomorrow.
Spanish
Yo tengo que ir al banco mañana.
tengo que — conjugated for yo
Impersonal — general rule
One has to show identification.
Spanish
Hay que mostrar identificación.
hay que — applies to everyone, no subject
Personal — we are responsible
We have to complete this form.
Spanish
Tenemos que completar este formulario.
tenemos que — our specific responsibility
Impersonal — process requirement
This form has to be completed.
Spanish
Hay que completar este formulario.
hay que — a general requirement of the process
Personal — you specifically
You will have to speak with the official.
Spanish
Tendrás que hablar con el funcionario.
tendrás que — your task, not everyone's
Impersonal — someone must
Someone will need to speak with the official.
Spanish
Habrá que hablar con el funcionario.
habrá que — unspecified who; it must happen
core formsTener que and haber que across tenses
tener que — conjugate for the person
yotengo que
tútienes que
él/ellatiene que
nosotrostenemos que
ellos/ellastienen que
haber que — always impersonal
Presenthay que
Imperfecthabía que
Preteritehubo que
Futurehabrá que
Ir-Futureva a haber que
Conditionalhabría que
Tener que across past tenses
tuve que (had to, preterite) · tenía que (had to, imperfect) · tendré que (will have to) · voy a tener que (am going to have to) · tendría que (would have to). The same conjugation pattern as tener — just add que + infinitive.
Examples
Tuve que cancelar la reunión a última hora.
I had to cancel the meeting at the last minute.
tuve que — personal obligation in preterite
Hubo que cerrar la carretera por varias horas.
The road had to be closed for several hours.
hubo que — impersonal necessity that arose
Van a tener que esperar afuera.
They are going to have to wait outside.
tener que — their specific obligation
Va a haber que esperar.
It is going to be necessary to wait.
haber que — general, impersonal necessity
watch outCommon errors with haber que
Haber que never takes a personal subject and never conjugates for a person. These are the two most common errors.
Haber que never takes a subject pronoun
incorrect
Vamos a haber que salir.
haber que cannot have a subject
correct
Va a haber que salir.
always impersonal — va, not vamos
Cannot insert a subject after hay que
incorrect
Hay que nosotros salir temprano.
no subject can follow hay que
correct
Tenemos que salir temprano.
use tener que when there is a subject
Note: both Tenemos que salir temprano (we have to leave early) and Hay que salir temprano (it is necessary to leave early) are correct — they just mean different things.
English speakers often assume that any future action should use the Spanish future tense. Natural Spanish uses all three structures — and the correct choice depends on context, not just time.
present tenseFixed schedules, confirmed arrangements, and spontaneous decisions
When to use
Use the present tense for (1) fixed timetables — bus, train, and flight schedules are treated as fixed facts; (2) confirmed near-future arrangements — when something is fully settled and on the calendar; (3) immediate spontaneous actions — when you decide to do something right now.
Fixed timetable
The plane leaves at seven.
Spanish
El avión sale a las siete.
fixed schedule — present is standard
Confirmed arrangement
I work tomorrow.
Spanish
Mañana trabajo.
already on the schedule
Spontaneous / immediate
I'm going out now to buy coffee.
Spanish
Salgo ahora para comprar café.
deciding and acting right now
Near future, fully arranged
I'll call you this afternoon.
Spanish
Te llamo esta tarde.
committed, near-future action
overlap zoneWhen "esta tarde / esta noche" could go either way
The key question
Time words like esta tarde and esta noche appear with both the present tense and ir a. They don't decide the structure — the degree of external commitment does. Ask: is this a confirmed agreement or appointment (present), or a personal decision you've made on your own (ir a)?
Present tense — external commitment
Te llamo esta tarde.
I'll call you this afternoon.
You agreed to it. They're expecting the call. It's essentially on the calendar — cancelling would break a commitment.
Ir a + inf — personal intention
Esta tarde voy a llamar a mi mamá.
This afternoon I'm going to call my mom.
Your own decision, made independently. No one else is depending on it. You could change your mind without breaking a commitment.
Quick test: If you cancelled, would you be letting someone down? → Present. If you just changed your own plan? → Ir a. Both are natural Spanish — neither is wrong, but the choice signals different social weight.
ir a + infinitivePlans, intentions, and predictions based on current evidence
When to use
Use ir a + infinitive for (1) plans and intentions you have already decided — the decision is made, the action flows naturally from the present; (2) predictions grounded in something you can observe right now — clouds, context, news, evidence; (3) next steps that follow from a current situation or decision.
Plan already decided
I'm going to study tonight.
Spanish
Voy a estudiar esta noche.
the decision is already made
Prediction from current evidence
Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.
Spanish
Mira esas nubes. Va a llover.
visible evidence right now
Moving next month
We're going to move next month.
Spanish
Vamos a mudarnos el próximo mes.
concrete plan already in motion
Based on current information
The doctor confirmed she is pregnant. She is going to have a baby.
Spanish
El médico confirmó que está embarazada. Va a tener un bebé.
known fact → grounded prediction
simple futurePredictions, promises, distant projections, and polite questions
When to use
Use the simple future for (1) predictions and forecasts not anchored to immediate evidence — speaking about what will happen in a general sense; (2) promises and reassurances — "I will call you, don't worry"; (3) distant or unspecified future — "someday," "in 2050"; (4) uncertain possibilities with words like probablemente or conditional si; (5) polite future questions.
Distant projection
Someday we will live on Mars.
Spanish
Algún día viviremos en Marte.
algún día = distant, undefined future
Forecast / general prediction
It will rain tomorrow.
Spanish
Mañana lloverá.
forecast, not based on current evidence
Promise / reassurance
I'll call you later.
Spanish
Te llamaré después.
commitment about the future
Polite future question
Will you help me, please?
Spanish
¿Me ayudarás, por favor?
softer than ¿Me ayudas? or ¿Puedes ayudarme?
Uncertainty / probability
We will probably leave early.
Spanish
Saldremos temprano, probablemente.
probablemente signals uncertainty
Projection far ahead
She will probably have children someday.
Spanish
Probablemente tendrá hijos algún día.
unspecified distant future
yaHow "ya" interacts with all three future structures
The big idea
Ya is one of the most versatile words in Spanish, and it means something different depending on which future structure it accompanies. Ya + present = right now, immediately. Ya + ir a = a plan already made. Ya + simple future = something that will happen at some point — vague, eventual, or indefinite. This third use ("futuro impreciso") is a key pattern for sounding natural when you want to be reassuring but non-committal about timing.
Ya + present tense — happening right now or immediately
Immediate action
I'm leaving now. (as you grab your keys)
Spanish
Ya salgo.
ya + present = this instant
Casual immediacy
I'm coming! (called from another room)
Spanish
¡Ya voy!
extremely common — on my way right now
Doing it now
I'll do it right now. / I'm already doing it.
Spanish
Ya lo hago.
reassures the listener — no future tense needed
Ya + ir a — plan already made, connected to the present
Decision already made
I already decided. I'm going to leave.
Spanish
Ya decidí. Voy a salir.
ya confirms the decision → ir a follows naturally
Tickets purchased
We already bought the tickets. We're going to go tonight.
Spanish
Ya compramos las entradas. Vamos a ir esta noche.
ya + completed action = plan is locked in → ir a
Confirmed arrangement
It's already confirmed. We leave tomorrow.
Spanish
Ya está confirmado. Salimos mañana.
ya + fully settled → present tense for departure
Ya + simple future — vague, eventual, or indefinite ("futuro impreciso")
Futuro impreciso — the vague future
When ya appears with the simple future, it often expresses something that will happen at some point, with no specific time in mind. The speaker is being optimistic or reassuring but deliberately vague about when. This pattern sounds very natural in Spanish and is used constantly in everyday conversation. English equivalents include "it'll happen," "I'll get to it," "he'll come eventually," or "we'll see."
Definite timing unknown
He'll get here when he gets here. / He'll come eventually.
Spanish
Ya llegará.
no specific time — it will happen at some point
Vague reassurance
I'll do it. / I'll get to it. (at some point)
Spanish
Ya lo haré.
future — non-committal about timing
It will sort itself out
It'll work out. / Things will fall into place.
Spanish
Ya se arreglará.
optimistic about the future, no timeline given
Indefinite future — we'll see
We'll see. (classic non-committal response)
Spanish
Ya veremos.
extremely common — implies "maybe, at some point"
Evasive or brushing off
I'll call you. (someday, no firm promise)
Spanish
Ya te llamaré.
contrast: Te llamaré = firm promise; Ya te llamaré = vague
The three-way ya contrast
Ya + Present
Ya lo hago.
I'm doing it right now.
immediate action — happening this instant
Ya + Ir a
Ya lo voy a hacer.
I'm going to do it.
plan already formed — intent decided
Ya + Future
Ya lo haré.
I'll do it. (at some point)
indefinite, eventual — "futuro impreciso"
side by sideSame verb, different context — see how structure changes
Present tense
Ir a + infinitive
Simple future
Salir — to leave
El autobús sale a las seis.
The bus leaves at six.
fixed timetable
Vamos a salir después de cenar.
We are going to leave after dinner.
plan already made
Saldremos cuando pare la lluvia.
We will leave when the rain stops.
conditional on uncertain event
Comprar — to buy
Salgo ahora a comprarlo.
I'm going out now to buy it.
spontaneous, immediate
Voy a comprarlo esta tarde.
I'm going to buy it this afternoon.
plan already decided
Lo compraré, no te preocupes.
I'll buy it, don't worry.
promise / reassurance
Llover — to rain
Llueve todos los días a las dos.
It rains every day at two o'clock.
habitual / scheduled pattern
Mira esas nubes. Va a llover.
Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.
prediction from visible evidence
Lloverá mañana.
It will rain tomorrow.
general forecast, no current evidence
time cluesTime expressions as signals — read the context
The role of time expressions
Time expressions often clarify which structure is most natural. A clock time points to a timetable (present). A word like ya or ya hice los planes points to a decision already made (ir a). A word like algún día or probablemente points to a projection or uncertainty (future). These are clues, not rules — context always wins.
Time expression guide
Signal
Structure
a las tres / a las siete y media
Present — specific clock time = timetable
ahora mismo / ahora
Present — spontaneous or right-now action
ya / ya hice los planes / ya reservamos
Ir a — decision is already made
esta tarde / esta noche (plan set)
Ir a — near future with intent decided
mira esas nubes / se ve que…
Ir a — prediction from current visible evidence
algún día / en 2050 / en el futuro
Future — distant or undefined projection
probablemente / quizás / si…
Future — uncertainty or hypothesis
no te preocupes / te lo prometo
Future — promise or reassurance
ya vendrá / ya lo haré / ya veremos
Future + ya — eventual, indefinite (futuro impreciso)
luego / más tarde / después
Future or ir a — depends on whether intent is decided
signal wordsQuick reference — which clues point to which future form
Present tense — scheduled, imminent, on the calendar
esta tarde · esta noche · mañana + time · el lunes · a las [time] · el vuelo/tren/clase + time
Ir a + infinitive — personal intentions, decided plans, evidence-based predictions
ya lo decidí · ya compré · tengo ganas de · pienso · voy a + [verb]
Spanish has three options for the second verb in a sentence — and choosing the wrong one changes the meaning or sounds unnatural. The correct choice depends on the relationship between the two clauses, not just the translation.
the core choiceThree options — what drives the selection
Indicative
Facts & certainties
Creo que viene.
I think he's coming. (stated as fact)
Subjunctive
Wishes, doubt & emotion
Quiero que venga.
I want him to come. (desire, not fact)
Infinitive
Same subject, no que
Quiero venir.
I want to come. (I = the one coming)
The key question: Is the second verb's subject the same person as the first? → Infinitive. Different person? → que + verb. Does the first verb express a fact or a certainty? → Indicative. Does it express a wish, emotion, doubt, or necessity? → Subjunctive.
indicativeFacts, habits, descriptions, and confident beliefs
When to use
Use the indicative after verbs and expressions that report facts, state observations, express confident beliefs, or describe what the speaker knows to be true. The indicative treats the second clause as real and certain.
Confident belief
I think he's coming.
Spanish
Creo que viene.
creer que → indicative when belief is affirmative
Observation / fact
I see that she works hard.
Spanish
Veo que trabaja mucho.
observed fact → indicative
Reported fact
She says she is tired.
Spanish
Dice que está cansada.
reporting what someone said → indicative
Habitual / general truth
I know that she works on Mondays.
Spanish
Sé que trabaja los lunes.
saber que → indicative
Signal verbs: creer que · pensar que · saber que · ver que · decir que · notar que · confirmar que · es verdad que · es obvio que · es cierto que
subjunctiveWishes, emotions, doubt, and necessity — a different subject
When to use
Use the subjunctive after que when the main clause expresses a wish, desire, emotion, doubt, denial, or impersonal necessity — and the subjects of the two clauses are different people. The subjunctive signals that the second event is not a fact but something wanted, felt, doubted, or needed.
Wishes, requests & influence — querer que, pedir que, recomendar que
Wish
I want you to come early.
Spanish
Quiero que vengas temprano.
I ≠ you — different subjects → subjunctive
Request
I need him to talk to the lawyer.
Spanish
Necesito que él hable con el abogado.
I ≠ he — different subjects → subjunctive
Recommendation
I recommend that you rest.
Spanish
Te recomiendo que descanses.
influencing another person's action → subjunctive
Emotions & reactions — me alegra que, me molesta que, esperar que
Happiness
I'm glad you're here.
Spanish
Me alegra que estés aquí.
emotional reaction to someone else's state → subjunctive
Hope / anticipation
I hope they arrive on time.
Spanish
Espero que lleguen a tiempo.
esperar que → subjunctive
Annoyance
It bothers me that he doesn't call.
Spanish
Me molesta que no llame.
feeling about someone else's behavior → subjunctive
Doubt & denial — no creer que, dudar que, no pensar que
Doubt
I doubt he'll come.
Spanish
Dudo que venga.
dudar que → subjunctive
Negated belief
I don't think she's right.
Spanish
No creo que tenga razón.
no creer que → subjunctive (contrast: creer que → indicative)
Necessity & possibility — impersonal expressions
Necessity
It's important that you study.
Spanish
Es importante que estudies.
es importante que → subjunctive
Possibility
It's possible that he arrives late.
Spanish
Es posible que llegue tarde.
es posible que → subjunctive
Impersonal obligation
It's necessary that we leave now.
Spanish
Es necesario que salgamos ahora.
es necesario que → subjunctive
Signal expressions: querer que · necesitar que · pedir que · esperar que · recomendar que · me alegra que · me molesta que · me sorprende que · dudo que · no creo que · es importante que · es posible que · es necesario que · es bueno que · ojalá que
infinitive shortcutSame subject → drop que and use infinitive
The same-subject rule
When both the main clause and the subordinate clause share the same grammatical subject, drop que and use the infinitive instead. Using que + subjunctive with the same subject sounds unnatural and is grammatically incorrect.
Same subject → Infinitive ✓
Quiero hablar con el abogado.
I want to talk to the lawyer.
I = the one who will talk
Same subject → que + subj ✗
Quiero que hable con el abogado.
Wrong when I am also the one talking
This means "I want him/her to talk" (different subject)
I need to call
I need to call her. (I am calling)
Spanish
Necesito llamarla.
same subject (yo) → infinitive
He needs her to call
He needs her to call. (she calls)
Spanish
Necesita que ella llame.
different subjects → que + subjunctive
She wants to rest
She wants to rest. (she rests)
Spanish
Ella quiere descansar.
same subject (ella) → infinitive
She wants us to rest
She wants us to rest. (we rest)
Spanish
Ella quiere que descansemos.
different subjects → que + subjunctive
purpose & timePara que and future time clauses always take subjunctive
Always subjunctive — two special cases
Para que (so that / in order that) always triggers the subjunctive because it introduces a purpose that hasn't happened yet — the outcome is desired, not real. Future time clauses with cuando, hasta que, antes de que, and en cuanto also require the subjunctive when the event is still in the future, because the future action is uncertain, not a fact.
Para que — purpose with a different subject
Purpose
I'll explain it so that you understand.
Spanish
Te lo explico para que entiendas.
para que → always subjunctive
Purpose
She works hard so that her family eats well.
Spanish
Trabaja mucho para que su familia coma bien.
different subjects + purpose → subjunctive
Note: When both subjects are the same, use para + infinitive instead: Trabajo mucho para comer bien. — same subject, so no que.
Future time clauses — cuando, hasta que, antes de que, en cuanto
When (future)
When we get to the bank, we'll talk to the manager.
Spanish
Cuando lleguemos al banco, hablaremos con el gerente.
future event not yet happened → subjunctive after cuando
Until (future)
I'll wait here until she arrives.
Spanish
Esperaré aquí hasta que llegue.
hasta que + future → subjunctive
Before (always)
I'll call before you leave.
Spanish
Te llamaré antes de que te vayas.
antes de que → always subjunctive (action always unfulfilled)
As soon as (future)
As soon as I arrive, I'll call you.
Spanish
En cuanto llegue, te llamo.
en cuanto + future → subjunctive
Contrast — habitual past: These same conjunctions use the imperfect when describing a past habit or completed event. Cuando llegaba a casa, siempre comía. — When I used to get home, I always ate. (past habit → imperfect indicative)
side by sideSame verb, different structure — see how meaning shifts
Creer / no creer — belief and doubt
Creer que → Indicative
Creo que viene.
I think he's coming.
affirmative belief = stated as likely fact
No creer que → Subjunctive
No creo que venga.
I don't think he's coming.
negated belief = doubt → subjunctive
Querer — same vs. different subject
Same subject → Infinitive
Quiero venir.
I want to come.
I = the one coming
Different subject → Subjunctive
Quiero que vengas.
I want you to come.
you = the one coming
Different subject → Subjunctive
Quiero que ella venga.
I want her to come.
she = the one coming
Hablar — infinitive vs. que + subjunctive
Same subject → Infinitive
Necesito hablar con el abogado.
I need to talk to the lawyer.
I = the one talking
Different subject → Subjunctive
Necesito que él hable con el abogado.
I need him to talk to the lawyer.
he = the one talking
signal wordsQuick reference — which expressions trigger which structure
creer que · pensar que · saber que · ver que · decir que · notar que · es verdad que · es obvio que · es cierto que · confirmar que
Subjunctive — wishes, emotions, doubt, necessity
querer que · necesitar que · pedir que · recomendar que · esperar que · desear que · ojalá que · me alegra que · me molesta que · me sorprende que · temer que · dudar que · no creer que · no pensar que · es importante que · es posible que · es necesario que · es bueno que · es raro que
Always subjunctive — purpose & future time
para que · cuando (future) · hasta que (future) · antes de que · en cuanto (future) · a menos que · con tal de que · sin que
Infinitive — same subject, no que needed
querer + inf · necesitar + inf · poder + inf · deber + inf · tener que + inf · para + inf (same subject purpose)
doubt & probabilityQuizá, tal vez, puede que, ojalá — and how certain you are
The key nuance
Puede que always requires the subjunctive. Quizá and tal vez can take either mood — subjunctive signals more doubt, indicative signals more certainty. The further from certain you are, the more natural the subjunctive feels. Ojalá always takes the subjunctive and never uses que as a connector — the subjunctive follows directly.
Puede que — always subjunctive
It might be
It might be fun.
Spanish
Puede que sea divertido.
puede que → always subjunctive
Perhaps she'll come
Perhaps she'll come tomorrow.
Spanish
Puede que venga mañana.
puede que → subjunctive (venir → venga)
Quizá / tal vez — subjunctive (more doubt) or indicative (more certainty)
More doubt → Subjunctive
Quizá venga mañana.
Maybe she'll come tomorrow.
genuinely uncertain — could go either way
More certainty → Indicative
Quizá viene mañana.
She might come tomorrow.
still uncertain but leaning toward likely
Ojalá — always subjunctive, never needs que
I hope / I wish
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
Spanish
Ojalá no llueva mañana.
ojalá + subjunctive directly — no que
I hope you can come
I hope you can come with me.
Spanish
Ojalá puedas venir conmigo.
ojalá + subjunctive (no que; poder → puedas)
Also always subjunctive: es posible que · es probable que · no es probable que · es imposible que — these impersonal expressions always take the subjunctive, no variation.
These short expressions are some of the most natural-sounding phrases in everyday Spanish. They all use the subjunctive directly after ¡Que...! — the full structure is Espero que te mejores, but Spanish drops the main verb and just says ¡Que te mejores! Learn these as set phrases — you'll hear and use them constantly.
Get well soon
Hope you feel better!
Spanish
¡Que te mejores!
mejorar → mejores (tú subjunctive)
Have a good one
Hope it goes well for you!
Spanish
¡Que te vaya bien!
ir → vaya (irregular subjunctive)
Enjoy your meal
Enjoy! / Bon appétit!
Spanish
¡Que aproveche!
aprovechar → aproveche (usted subjunctive)
Have fun
Have fun! Enjoy yourself!
Spanish
¡Que lo pases bien!
pasar → pases (tú subjunctive)
Good luck
Good luck! Hope it goes well!
Spanish
¡Que te salga bien!
salir → salga (go-verb subjunctive)
Sleep well
Sleep well!
Spanish
¡Que duermas bien!
dormir → duermas (stem-change subjunctive)
fixed expressionsSea como sea, cueste lo que cueste — concessive subjunctive
What these are
These are fixed expressions built on the pattern [verb] + como/lo que/lo que + [same verb again in subjunctive]. They mean "no matter how/what/who" — the subjunctive here expresses that the outcome holds regardless of any condition. They are set phrases — learn them as vocabulary, not as grammar constructions to build from scratch.
No matter what happens
No matter what, I'm going to find a job.
Spanish
Sea como sea, voy a conseguir un trabajo.
sea como sea — whatever/however it may be
Whatever it costs
Whatever it costs, I'm going to buy that car.
Spanish
Cueste lo que cueste, voy a comprarme ese coche.
cueste lo que cueste — at any price, no matter what
Whatever you say
Whatever you say, this dress looks great on me.
Spanish
Digas lo que digas, este vestido me queda estupendo.
digas lo que digas — no matter what you say
Whether you want to or not
Whether you want to or not, you're going to finish school.
Spanish
Quieras o no, vas a terminar el bachillerato.
quieras o no (quieras) — like "whether you want to or not"
The pattern: [verb subj] + como/lo que + [same verb subj] → sea como sea · digas lo que digas · hagas lo que hagas · pase lo que pase · venga de donde venga
These verbs require a before the following infinitive. The a is part of the verb phrase — it doesn't mean "to" in the English sense; it's just the connector Spanish requires. These express movement toward an action, motivation, or start of an action.
Start / Learning
empezar a — to start doing
comenzar a — to begin doing
aprender a — to learn to do
enseñar a — to teach to do
ayudar a — to help to do
animar a — to encourage to do
volver a — to do again
Attitude / Will
decidirse a — to make up one's mind to
atreverse a — to dare to
negarse a — to refuse to
resistirse a — to resist doing
limitarse a — to stick to / just do
arriesgarse a — to risk doing
disponerse a — to be about to
atenerse a — to abide by / accept
Habit / Pattern
acostumbrarse a — to get used to
tender a — to tend to
obligar a — to force / require to
dedicarse a — to devote oneself to
Movement / Attendance
ir a — to be going to
llegar a — to manage to / end up
asistir a — to attend
atender a — to attend to / serve
asomarse a — to lean out / peek at
Senses (+ noun)
oler a — to smell like
saber a — to taste like
Esta sopa huele a ajo. = This soup smells like garlic. · Sabe a limón. = It tastes like lemon.
Example
I finally dared to ask for a raise.
Spanish
Por fin me atreví a pedir un aumento.
atreverse a + infinitive
Example
She refused to sign the contract.
Spanish
Se negó a firmar el contrato.
negarse a + infinitive
Example
We were about to leave when it started to rain.
Spanish
Nos disponíamos a salir cuando empezó a llover.
disponerse a + infinitive
verb + enVerbs followed by en
The pattern
These verbs use en to connect to a noun, infinitive, or clause. En here signals "in," "on," or "about" — what the action is directed at, what it consists of, or what the focus is.
Thought / Belief
pensar en — to think about
creer en — to believe in
confiar en — to trust in
fijarse en — to notice
insistir en — to insist on
vacilar en / dudar en — to hesitate to
hacer bien en — to be right to
estar interesado en — to be interested in
Change / Composition
convertirse en — to become
transformarse en — to transform into
consistir en — to consist of
quedar en — to agree to
apoyarse en — to lean on
acabar en — to end in / result in
Time / Effort
tardar en — to take (time) to
influir en — to influence
empeñarse en — to be set on
Location / Work
trabajar en — to work at/in
quedarse en — to stay at
participar en — to participate in
Example
The package took three days to arrive.
Spanish
El paquete tardó tres días en llegar.
tardar en + infinitive
Example
He insists on doing it his way.
Spanish
Se empeña en hacerlo a su manera.
empeñarse en + infinitive
verb + deVerbs followed by de
The pattern
These verbs use de to connect to their object or infinitive. De here signals origin, topic, separation, or cause. Several of these have exact English equivalents that use a different preposition — the mismatch is the learning challenge.
Stop / Separation
acabar de — to have just done ⭐
dejar de — to stop doing
cansarse de — to get tired of
hartarse de — to get fed up with
aburrirse de — to get bored of
despedirse de — to say goodbye to
tratar de — to try to
desentenderse de — to wash one's hands of
Memory / Awareness
olvidarse de — to forget to
acordarse de — to remember to
darse cuenta de — to realize
enterarse de — to find out about
asegurarse de — to make sure of
desconfiar de — to distrust / be wary of
dudar de — to doubt
preocuparse de — to take care of / worry about
Emotion
enamorarse de — to fall in love with
alegrarse de — to be glad about
avergonzarse de — to be ashamed of
enorgullecerse de — to be proud of
tener ganas de — to feel like / look forward to
burlarse de — to mock / make fun of
quejarse de — to complain about
reírse de — to laugh at
Composition / Responsibility
encargarse de — to be in charge of
cuidar de — to take care of
depender de — to depend on
constar de — to consist of
carecer de — to lack
aprovecharse de — to take advantage of
vivir de — to live on / off of
⭐ High-value: acabar de — This means "to have just done something." Acabo de llegar = I just arrived. Acababa de salir = She had just left. It's one of the most useful structures in daily Spanish and has no direct equivalent preposition in English.
Example
I just arrived from the airport.
Spanish
Acabo de llegar del aeropuerto.
acabar de + infinitive = have just done
Example
He stopped smoking after twenty years.
Spanish
Dejó de fumar después de veinte años.
dejar de + infinitive = stop doing
verb + con / porVerbs followed by con or por
Verb + con
casarse con — to marry
soñar con — to dream about
contar con — to count on
salir con — to date / go out with
enfadarse con — to get angry with (Spain)
llevarse bien con — to get along with
conformarse con — to settle for
entenderse con — to get along with
emocionarse con — to be moved by
chocar con — to crash into
acabar con — to put an end to
bastar con — to be enough to
Verb + por
preocuparse por — to worry about
molestarse por — to get annoyed about
optar por — to opt for
apasionarse por — to be passionate about
morirse por — to be dying to
votar por — to vote for
preguntar por — to ask about / inquire after
hacer lo posible por — to do everything possible to
Example
I get along very well with my coworkers.
Spanish
Me llevo muy bien con mis compañeros.
llevarse bien con + person
Example
I'm dying to try that restaurant.
Spanish
Me muero por probar ese restaurante.
morirse por + infinitive
false friendsVerbs that take NO preposition in Spanish
The trap
These verbs already contain the meaning of the preposition in English. Spanish uses them directly — no preposition. Adding one is a very common and audible error.
Wrong → Right
buscar para → buscar ✓ to look for — no para
esperar para → esperar ✓ to wait for — no para
escuchar a → escuchar ✓ to listen to — no a
agradecer por → agradecer ✓ to be grateful for — no por
saber como → saber + INF ✓ to know how to — no cómo
Correct examples
Estoy buscando mis llaves. I'm looking for my keys.
Esperamos el autobús. We're waiting for the bus.
Escucha esa canción. Listen to that song.
Te agradezco tu ayuda. I'm grateful for your help.