37 16th Common Phrases using the subjunctive Flashcards
O sea… That is…
The most common expression that you’ll hear. “O sea” means “that is”, “in other words”, “or rather”, “that is to say”. You’ll hear it all the time, almost as a verbal tic among native Spanish speakers across the Spanish speaking world.
No matter how, at any cost
Sea como sea
Whenever
cuando sea, a quien sea.
I am very happy to put that in writing anywhere, any time to anyone.
Cuando sea
No me importaría poner eso por escrito donde sea, cuando sea, a quien sea.
whether it be for x or y
Ya sea por x o y
You can use ya sea por to mean “whether”, and this usually comes with an “or”, for example: ya sea por motivos de trabajo o diversión (“whether it be for reasons of work or fun”)
Aunque means “although”, and aunque sea is one of the most common constructions you’ll hear.
Learn these phrases using “aunque” sea to build fluency in your conversation:
Although it’s a little/not much
Aunque sea poco
Although it’s difficult
Aunque sea difícil
Although it’s small
Aunque sea pequeño
Aunque sea duro – Although it’s difficult/tough
Aunque sea duro
Ojalá stands out as a Spanish word, and it is always followed by the subjunctive. The history of this little word is fascinating – it’s originally from the Arabic Insha’Allah!, meaning “If God wills”.
Today it’s used to mean “I hope”, or “may it be so”. Here are some of the most common phrases using ojalá:
Ojalá sea pronto – I hope it is soon
Ojalá sea pronto
I hope you can help me
Ojalá puedas ayudarme
I wish there were more
Ojalá hubiera más
I hope he/she/it arrives
Ojalá llegue
Ojalá que
Although purists sometimes argue that ojalá que is incorrect, in everday Spanish it is used all the time. Here are some phrases using ojalá que:
I hope it turns out ok
Ojalá que salga bien
I hope it’s been…
Ojalá que haya sido…
Phrases with cuando
Cuando is often used with the subjunctive. It’s usually used with a verb to refer to some future action or event which is not yet a reality (hence the use of the subjunctive):
When it’s necessary
Cuando sea necesario
When it’s done
Cuando esté hecho
Cuando esté conmigo – When it/he/she is with me
Cuando esté conmigo
When you have time
Cuando tengas tiempo
When he/she/it arrives
Cuando venga –
When he/she it leaves
Cuando salga
Phrases with quiero que
Quiero que (I want) almost always takes the subjunctive, as it refers to the imposition of will or desire. These very common short phrases illustrate that perfectly:
I want you to know
Quiero que sepas
I want him/her/it to return
Quiero que vuelva
Phrases with para que
Para que means “so that”, and is often used with the subjunctive:
So that you see
Para que veas
So that it works
Para que funcione
So that you know
Para que sepas
Impersonal expressions with the Spanish subjunctive
An impersonal expression simply means that no personal pronoun (ie, yo, tú, usted, etc) is used. These take the form “es ADJECTIVE que”, and are often followed by the subjunctive. Note that when you are sure about the result of something, or affirming the reality of something, the indicative is used (e.g. Es cierto que sabe):
It’s possible that there is…
Es posible que haya
It’s probable that it’s…
Es probable que sea
Es importante que sepas – It’s important that you know
Es importante que sepas
It’s possible that it exists
Es posible que exista
