Easy. "Podrías haberlo hecho" is used when there is a condition expressed. Example:
Podría haber terminado si hubiera tenido más tiempo.
I could have finished if I had had more time.
Podrías haberte caído si no hubieras tenido cuidado.
You could have fallen if you hadn't been careful.
If no condition is expressed, then "podías haberlo hecho" or "pudiste haberlo hecho" are preferred.
“Podíamos haber ido al cine para divertirnos un poco” (pero no lo hicimos)
“Podían haber llamado a la policía” (habría sido una buena idea, pero no lo hicieron)
“Podía haber hecho una tortilla para cenar” (pero no se me ocurrió, la verdad)
“Podía haberte pedido consejo”(pero no lo hice porque no quería que te preocuparas por mis problemas)
“¡Podías haberte matado!” (Lo que hiciste era peligroso, pero, gracias a Dios, no te ha pasado nada, no te has matado)
“Podía haberme levantado más temprano, pero tenía un sueño…..” (No me levanté, me quedé en la cama)
Now let's add a condition to the sentences above and let's see what happens.
“Podríamos haber ido al cine” (si no se nos hubiera hecho tan tarde)
“Podrían haber llamado a la policía” (si hubieran tenido un teléfono)
“Podría haber hecho una tortilla para cenar” (si hubiera tenido patatas)
“Podría haberte pedido consejo”(si hubieras estado a mi lado)
“Podrías haberte matado” (si hubieras subido a las rocas).
“Podría haberme levantado más temprano” (si no me hubiera acostado tan tarde)
The condition can be made explicit or not, but it's there.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Monday, October 29, 2018
How to express "should have done something" in Spanish?
There are various ways we can express things we wish should have occured in the past.
The simplest way to express this is by using the preterite form of the verb deber. Let's take a look at some examples:
Debí hacerlo.
I should have done it.
Debiste llamar a la policía.
You should have called the police.
If you are new to learning Spanish, I recommend you to stick to this form as it's easy to remember and more simple.
However, there are more ways on how to express "should have done something" in Spanish. These are the possible forms:
Preterite form of the verb deber + haber: Debiste haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb deber + haber: Debías haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb deber + haber: Deberías haberlo hecho.
Past subjunctive of the verb deber + haber: Debieras haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb tener + haber: Tenías que haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb tener + haber: Tendrías que haberlo hecho.
Most of the time, the preference of the speaker is what makes the difference among these forms. I had a Spanish friend that once told me that the "debiste hacerlo" and "debiste haberlo hecho" form sound more of from mexican telenovelas. In Spain, the form "tenía que haberlo hecho" is much used as far as I can notice on how Spaniards speak. While the conditional forms and the one with past subjunctive sound formal and polite to native speakers.
To some speakers, the form debí haberlo hecho has more "recency" than debí hacerlo, as in:
Mi hermana murió hace años. Debí pasar más tiempo con ella cuando vivía.
Estaba distraído cuando mi hermana me hablaba. Hay algo que me comentó que no entendí del todo. La debí haber escuchado.
In some Latin American countries, especially in Mexico, people would use "hubiera" + the past participle to express "should have done something".
Me hubieras llamado por teléfono.
You should have called me by phone.
The simplest way to express this is by using the preterite form of the verb deber. Let's take a look at some examples:
Debí hacerlo.
I should have done it.
Debiste llamar a la policía.
You should have called the police.
If you are new to learning Spanish, I recommend you to stick to this form as it's easy to remember and more simple.
However, there are more ways on how to express "should have done something" in Spanish. These are the possible forms:
Preterite form of the verb deber + haber: Debiste haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb deber + haber: Debías haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb deber + haber: Deberías haberlo hecho.
Past subjunctive of the verb deber + haber: Debieras haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb tener + haber: Tenías que haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb tener + haber: Tendrías que haberlo hecho.
Most of the time, the preference of the speaker is what makes the difference among these forms. I had a Spanish friend that once told me that the "debiste hacerlo" and "debiste haberlo hecho" form sound more of from mexican telenovelas. In Spain, the form "tenía que haberlo hecho" is much used as far as I can notice on how Spaniards speak. While the conditional forms and the one with past subjunctive sound formal and polite to native speakers.
To some speakers, the form debí haberlo hecho has more "recency" than debí hacerlo, as in:
Mi hermana murió hace años. Debí pasar más tiempo con ella cuando vivía.
Estaba distraído cuando mi hermana me hablaba. Hay algo que me comentó que no entendí del todo. La debí haber escuchado.
In some Latin American countries, especially in Mexico, people would use "hubiera" + the past participle to express "should have done something".
Me hubieras llamado por teléfono.
You should have called me by phone.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Aunque + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE mood?
The answer depends whether the information is shared or is known by the person speaking and the person the speaker is speaking to. Let's take a look at this dialogue:
Hijo: Mamá, el profesor dice que el examen de mañana va a ser fácil.
Mamá: Vale. Pero aunque vaya a ser fácil, tienes que estudiar de todos modos.
In the dialogue above the son informs his mother that tomorrow's exam is going to be easy. Upon saying that, the fact that the exam is going to be easy is known both by the son and the mother. To make things simplier, the subjunctive mood is used if the information is known by the speaker and the person the speaker is talking to.
Let's take a look at more examples:
Carlo: Según el pronóstico meteorológico, va a llover mañana.
Marco: Aunuqe llueva mañana, iremos a la playa.
Susan: El novio de Cristina es muy rico.
Ana: Aunuqe sea muy rico, Cristina quiere trabajar de todas formas.
On the other hand, if the information is only known by the person speaking, the indicative is used. Let's take a look at this example:
Carlo: Ya he visto la casa. Es muy bonita. Aunque le faltan decoraciones.
Marco: Pero aunque le falten decoraciones mi hermano quiere comprarla.
In the first sentence, "faltar" is in indicative mood because Marco didn't know that the house lacks decorations., that is to say, Carlo is informing Marco about it. Remember that the indicative mood is used when stating an information. In the second sentence, however, "faltar" is in subjunctive because the fact that the house lacks decorations has become known by the two.
I hope everything now is clear. If you still have any question about this, post it in the comment section.
Hijo: Mamá, el profesor dice que el examen de mañana va a ser fácil.
Mamá: Vale. Pero aunque vaya a ser fácil, tienes que estudiar de todos modos.
In the dialogue above the son informs his mother that tomorrow's exam is going to be easy. Upon saying that, the fact that the exam is going to be easy is known both by the son and the mother. To make things simplier, the subjunctive mood is used if the information is known by the speaker and the person the speaker is talking to.
Let's take a look at more examples:
Carlo: Según el pronóstico meteorológico, va a llover mañana.
Marco: Aunuqe llueva mañana, iremos a la playa.
Susan: El novio de Cristina es muy rico.
Ana: Aunuqe sea muy rico, Cristina quiere trabajar de todas formas.
On the other hand, if the information is only known by the person speaking, the indicative is used. Let's take a look at this example:
Carlo: Ya he visto la casa. Es muy bonita. Aunque le faltan decoraciones.
Marco: Pero aunque le falten decoraciones mi hermano quiere comprarla.
In the first sentence, "faltar" is in indicative mood because Marco didn't know that the house lacks decorations., that is to say, Carlo is informing Marco about it. Remember that the indicative mood is used when stating an information. In the second sentence, however, "faltar" is in subjunctive because the fact that the house lacks decorations has become known by the two.
I hope everything now is clear. If you still have any question about this, post it in the comment section.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Spanish subordinate conjunctions
A subordinate conjunction introduces a subordinate clause which is a group of words containing a subject and verb but dependent on a main clause.
Here is a list of the most common Spanish subordinate conjunctions together with some samples sentences I got from spanishdict.com I also indicated whether a verb in subjunctive or indicative should be used.
A fin de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in order that, so that
La agarró del brazo a fin de que no se cayera sobre el hielo
He grabbed onto her arm so that she wouldn't fall over on the ice.
A menos que + SUBJUNCTIVE - unless
A menos que salgamos ahora, llegaremos tarde a la fiesta.
Unless we leave now, we'll be late to the party.
Antes de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - prior to
Recuérdame que te dé el libro antes de que te vayas.
Remind me to give you the book before you go.
Así que + INDICATIVE - so, as a consequence
Estaba muy estresado, así que decidí ir al spa para recargar las pilas.
I was very stressed, so I decided to go to the spa to recharge my batteries.
Aunque + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - although, even if, even though
Aunque está lloviendo, el paisaje está precioso.
Even though it's raining, the scenery is beautiful.
Aunque no quedaba mucho tiempo, terminaron la carrera.
Although there wasn't much time left, they finished the race.
Me encantan los partidos de baloncesto aunque no sepa lo que está pasando.
I love basketball games even if I don't know what's going on.
La pizza está rica aunque no es la mejor que he probado.
It's a tasty pizza although it's not the best I've tried.
Como + INDICATIVE - since (expresses cause)
Como no estabas aquí, tomé la decisión por ti.
Since you were not here, I made the decision for you.
Como + SUBJUNCTIVE - if (expresses condition)
Como llegues tarde al examen, no se te dará más tiempo.
If you arrive late for the exam, you will not be given extra time.
Como si + PAST SUBJUNCTIVE - as if, as though
Elisa estaba deprimida. Era como si ya no tuviera ganas de triunfar y ser una estrella.
Elisa was depressed. It was as if she wasn't willing to succeed and become a star anymore.
Mi abuela tiene alzéimer. Me habla como si no me conociera.
My grandmother has Alzheimer's. She speaks to me as though she didn't know me.
Con tal de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as, provided that
Puedes escuchar música con tal de que uses los audífonos.
You can listen to music as long as you use headphones.
Podrá seguir trabajando aquí con tal de que cumpla todos sus deberes.
He will be able to continue working here, provided that he fulfills all his duties.
Cuando + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - when, as, whenever
Cuando hace calor, nos gusta desayunar en el jardín.
When it's hot, we like to have breakfast in the yard.
Justo cuando empezábamos a divertirnos, se cortó la luz.
Just as we were starting to have fun, the lights went out.
Llámame cuando tengas ganas.
Call me whenever you like.
De modo que + INDICATIVE - in such a way that (expresses consecuence)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oí.
He got in silently in such a way that I didn't hear him.
De modo que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that (expresses purpose)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oyera.
He got in silently so that I couldn't hear him.
Desde que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - since
No lo he vuelto a ver desde que cambió de trabajo.
I haven't seen him since he changed jobs.
Después de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - after
Limpia la encimera después de que acabes de lavar los platos.
Clean the countertop after you finish washing the dishes.
Donde + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - where
Estoy en el restaurante donde comimos el otro día.
I'm at the restaurant where we ate the other day.
Sal a donde quieras. A mí no me importa.
Go wherever you want. I don't care.
En caso de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in the event that, in case
En caso de que el vuelo sea cancelado, pueden tomar el siguiente.
In the event that your flight is canceled, you can take the following one.
Hasta que + SUBJUNCTIVE - untill
No dejará de trabajar hasta que consiga su meta de ventas.
He won't stop working until he reaches his sales goal.
Mientras + INDICATIVE - while
Lavó los platos mientras yo dormía la siesta.
He did the dishes while I took a nap.
Mientras + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as
Mientras trabaje aquí, nunca podré tomarme unas vacaciones en condiciones.
As long as I work here, I'll never manage to take a proper vacation.
Mientras termines los deberes a tiempo, me da igual que escuches música o no.
As long as you finish your homework on time, I don't mind if you listen to music.
Para que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that
Deja tu correo electrónico para que podamos mantenernos en contacto.
Leave your email address so that we can stay in touch.
Porque + INDICATIVE - because
Mi hermano está triste porque no ganó el concurso.
My brother is upset because he did not win the contest.
Puesto que + INDICATIVE - since, given that, because, as
Puesto que está lloviendo, no vamos a ir a nadar hoy.
Since it's raining, we're not going swimming today.
Que + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.
Note that some of these characteristics are different.
No voy a llevar el paraguas. No creo que vaya a llover.
I'm not taking an umbrella. I don't think that it's going to rain.
Si + INDICATIVE - if
Si llueve mañana, cancelaremos el picnic.
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
Sin que + SUBJUNCTIVE - without
Los programas pueden realizar cambios en el equipo sin que usted lo sepa.
The programs can make changes to your computer without you knowing about it.
Here is a list of the most common Spanish subordinate conjunctions together with some samples sentences I got from spanishdict.com I also indicated whether a verb in subjunctive or indicative should be used.
A fin de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in order that, so that
La agarró del brazo a fin de que no se cayera sobre el hielo
He grabbed onto her arm so that she wouldn't fall over on the ice.
A menos que + SUBJUNCTIVE - unless
A menos que salgamos ahora, llegaremos tarde a la fiesta.
Unless we leave now, we'll be late to the party.
Antes de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - prior to
Recuérdame que te dé el libro antes de que te vayas.
Remind me to give you the book before you go.
Así que + INDICATIVE - so, as a consequence
Estaba muy estresado, así que decidí ir al spa para recargar las pilas.
I was very stressed, so I decided to go to the spa to recharge my batteries.
Aunque + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - although, even if, even though
Aunque está lloviendo, el paisaje está precioso.
Even though it's raining, the scenery is beautiful.
Aunque no quedaba mucho tiempo, terminaron la carrera.
Although there wasn't much time left, they finished the race.
Me encantan los partidos de baloncesto aunque no sepa lo que está pasando.
I love basketball games even if I don't know what's going on.
La pizza está rica aunque no es la mejor que he probado.
It's a tasty pizza although it's not the best I've tried.
Como + INDICATIVE - since (expresses cause)
Como no estabas aquí, tomé la decisión por ti.
Since you were not here, I made the decision for you.
Como + SUBJUNCTIVE - if (expresses condition)
Como llegues tarde al examen, no se te dará más tiempo.
If you arrive late for the exam, you will not be given extra time.
Como si + PAST SUBJUNCTIVE - as if, as though
Elisa estaba deprimida. Era como si ya no tuviera ganas de triunfar y ser una estrella.
Elisa was depressed. It was as if she wasn't willing to succeed and become a star anymore.
Mi abuela tiene alzéimer. Me habla como si no me conociera.
My grandmother has Alzheimer's. She speaks to me as though she didn't know me.
Con tal de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as, provided that
Puedes escuchar música con tal de que uses los audífonos.
You can listen to music as long as you use headphones.
Podrá seguir trabajando aquí con tal de que cumpla todos sus deberes.
He will be able to continue working here, provided that he fulfills all his duties.
Cuando + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - when, as, whenever
Cuando hace calor, nos gusta desayunar en el jardín.
When it's hot, we like to have breakfast in the yard.
Justo cuando empezábamos a divertirnos, se cortó la luz.
Just as we were starting to have fun, the lights went out.
Llámame cuando tengas ganas.
Call me whenever you like.
De modo que + INDICATIVE - in such a way that (expresses consecuence)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oí.
He got in silently in such a way that I didn't hear him.
De modo que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that (expresses purpose)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oyera.
He got in silently so that I couldn't hear him.
Desde que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - since
No lo he vuelto a ver desde que cambió de trabajo.
I haven't seen him since he changed jobs.
Después de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - after
Limpia la encimera después de que acabes de lavar los platos.
Clean the countertop after you finish washing the dishes.
Donde + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - where
Estoy en el restaurante donde comimos el otro día.
I'm at the restaurant where we ate the other day.
Sal a donde quieras. A mí no me importa.
Go wherever you want. I don't care.
En caso de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in the event that, in case
En caso de que el vuelo sea cancelado, pueden tomar el siguiente.
In the event that your flight is canceled, you can take the following one.
Hasta que + SUBJUNCTIVE - untill
No dejará de trabajar hasta que consiga su meta de ventas.
He won't stop working until he reaches his sales goal.
Mientras + INDICATIVE - while
Lavó los platos mientras yo dormía la siesta.
He did the dishes while I took a nap.
Mientras + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as
Mientras trabaje aquí, nunca podré tomarme unas vacaciones en condiciones.
As long as I work here, I'll never manage to take a proper vacation.
Mientras termines los deberes a tiempo, me da igual que escuches música o no.
As long as you finish your homework on time, I don't mind if you listen to music.
Para que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that
Deja tu correo electrónico para que podamos mantenernos en contacto.
Leave your email address so that we can stay in touch.
Porque + INDICATIVE - because
Mi hermano está triste porque no ganó el concurso.
My brother is upset because he did not win the contest.
Puesto que + INDICATIVE - since, given that, because, as
Puesto que está lloviendo, no vamos a ir a nadar hoy.
Since it's raining, we're not going swimming today.
Que + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.
Note that some of these characteristics are different.
No voy a llevar el paraguas. No creo que vaya a llover.
I'm not taking an umbrella. I don't think that it's going to rain.
Si + INDICATIVE - if
Si llueve mañana, cancelaremos el picnic.
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
Sin que + SUBJUNCTIVE - without
Los programas pueden realizar cambios en el equipo sin que usted lo sepa.
The programs can make changes to your computer without you knowing about it.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Some useful Spanish adjectives and their opposites
Here is a short list of some useful and common adjectives for beginner level in Spanish.
| English | Spanish | ||
| alive | dead | vivo | muerto |
| beautiful | ugly | hermoso | feo |
| big | small | grande | pequeño |
| bitter | sweet | amargo | dulce |
| cheap | expensive | barato | caro |
| clean | dirty | limpio | sucio |
| curly | straight | rizado | lizo |
| difficult | easy | difícil | fácil |
| good | bad | bueno | malo |
| early | late | temprano | tarde |
| fat | thin | gordo | delgado |
| full | empty | lleno | vacío |
| hot | cold | caliente | frío |
| happy | sad/unhappy | feliz | triste |
| hardworking | lazy | trabajoso | perezoso |
| new | old | nuevo | viejo |
| nice | nasty | majo | bruto |
| intelligent | stupid | inteligente | estúpido |
| interesting | boring | interesante | aburrido |
| light | heavy | ligero | pesado |
| polite | rude/impolite | cortés | grosero |
| poor | rich | pobre | rico |
| quiet | noisy | tranquilo | ruidoso |
| right | wrong | correcto | incorrecto |
| safe | dangerous | seguro | peligroso |
| short | long | corto | largo |
| soft | hard | blando | duro |
| single | married | soltero | casado |
| well | ill/unwell | bien | malo |
| white | black | blanco | negro |
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
How to use the expression "lo de" in Spanish?
The expression lo de + a noun, adverb or infinitive is frequently used in Spanish and has several possible English translations.
Lo de estudiar me cansa.
All this business about studying tires me.
En un televisor lo importante es lo de adentro.
In a television, the important part is what's inside.
Lo de estudiar me cansa.
All this business about studying tires me.
En un televisor lo importante es lo de adentro.
In a television, the important part is what's inside.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
The definite article is used with parts of the body and clothing
The definite article is used with parts of the body and clothing instead of the possessive adjective.
Debes ponerte el impermeable cuando está lloviendo.
You should put on your raincoat when it's raining.
Me lavé la cara.
I washed my face.
Los estudiantes levantaron la mano.
The students raised their hands.
Debes ponerte el impermeable cuando está lloviendo.
You should put on your raincoat when it's raining.
Me lavé la cara.
I washed my face.
Los estudiantes levantaron la mano.
The students raised their hands.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Spanish comparison of ideas
When the ideas are compared, de lo que is used where the single English word than suffices.
Este señor trabaja más de lo que ustedes piensan.
This gentleman works more than you think.
Este señor trabaja más de lo que ustedes piensan.
This gentleman works more than you think.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
The Spanish expression "tan como"
In comparisons of equiality, the English formula as + adverb/ adjective + as is translated into Spanish by tan + adverb/ adjective + como.
Ella no habla tan claramente como él.
She doesn't speak as clearly as he.
Ana no es tan bella como María.
Anne is not as pretty as Mary.
Ella no habla tan claramente como él.
She doesn't speak as clearly as he.
Ana no es tan bella como María.
Anne is not as pretty as Mary.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Comparison of adverbs in Spanish
Adverbs are compared like adjectives. Only four adverbs have irregular comparative forms.
mucho a lot, very
poco little
bien well
mal badly
más more
menos less
mejor better
peor worse
Este estudiante habla mejor que yo.
This student speaks better than I.
Carmen trabaja menos que la otra enfermera.
Carmen works less than the other nurse.
mucho a lot, very
poco little
bien well
mal badly
más more
menos less
mejor better
peor worse
Este estudiante habla mejor que yo.
This student speaks better than I.
Carmen trabaja menos que la otra enfermera.
Carmen works less than the other nurse.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Useful Spanish expressions
Do you want to sound as if you were a native speaker of Spanish? Well, since you're reading this post, it's near possible. I have listed here some basic and common expressions used daily by native Spanish speakers.
¿Ah sí? - Really?
Example:
Tomorrow we are throwing a party at home - Really? - Yes!
Mañana vamos a montar una fiesta en casa. - ¿Ah sí? - Sí.
¿A que...? - I bet...
Examples:
I bet you won't dare to tell it to her.
¿A que no te atreves a decírselo?
I bet they know it.
A que lo saben.
¿A que no? - Don't you?/ Am I wrong?/ I don't bet
Example:
Marco told me you speak ten languages, don't you?
Marco me dijo que hablas diez idiomas ¿a que no?
¿A que sí? - Do you?/ Am I right?/ I bet!
Examples:
They say you can sing well? Do you?
Dicen que cantas muy bien. ¿A que sí?
You won't dare to check them out because you are jealous, am I right?
Lo que pasa es que no quieres verlos porque tienes envidia, ¿a que sí?
¿A qué viene + INFINITIVE ? - What's the point of + INFINITIVE ?
Example:
What's the point of yelling at me when I can hear you from here?
¿A qué viene gritarme cuando puedo oirte desde aquí?
¡¿Cómo crees?! - How do you get off saying that?!
Examples:
Are you gay? - How do you get off saying that?! / Are you crazy? / How could you say that?
¿Eres gay? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
Is he your boyfriend? - What are you telling me?!
¿Es tu novio? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
¿Cómo de + ADJETIVO...? - How + ADJECTIVE...?
Examples:
How fast is your Firefox?
¿Cómo de rápido es tu firefox?
How big is the Philippines?
¿Cómo de grande es las Filipinas?
Como debe ser - As it should be
Examples:
The chicken can't fly - As it should be
El pollo no puede volar - Como debe ser
¿Cómo es que.. - How come...?
Examples:
How come you don't know the answer? - How should I know?
¿Cómo es que no sabes la respuesta? - ¡Qué sé yo!
How come you didn't come to the party with them?
¿Cómo es que no viniste a la fiesta con ellos?
¡Como quieras! - As you wish!
Example:
I will do it this way! - As you wish! / Whatever way you want!
Lo haré de esta manera - ¡Como quieras!
¿Cómo que..? - What do you mean...?
Examples:
What do you mean she doesn't like me?
¿Cómo que yo no le gusto?
What do you mean it wasn't you?
¿Cómo que no fuiste tú?
Como si + Past/ Past perfect subjunctive - As if (stating a fact)
Examples:
We are eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Comemos léntamente como si no tuvieramos hambre
We were eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Estábamos comiendo léntamente como si no hubiéramos tenido hambre
Dar por sentado - To assume
Examples:
She assumed her mom wouldn't come so she invited her friends to her house.
Dio por sentado que su mamá no vendría, así que invitó a sus amigas a su casa.
He assumed he would get used to his schedule at school in a couple of weeks.
Daba por sentado que se acostumbraría al horario de escuela en un par de semanas.
Es decir - That is to say/ You know/ Figuratively speaking
Examples:
My cousin, you know, Roberto's son.
Mi primo, es decir, el hijo de Roberto.
These words are synonyms, you know, words that mean the same.
Estas palabras son sinónimas, es decir, significan lo mismo.
Es que - The reason is that
Examples:
The reason is that I felt bad, that's why I left.
Es que me sentí mal, por eso me fui.
Menos mal - It's a good thing/ Thank god!
Example:
Thank god you didn't hurt yourself!
Menos mal no te has dañado.
¡Ni hablar! - No way!
Example:
Will you lend me your cap? - No way!
¿Quieres dejarme tu gorra? - ¡Ni hablar!
Ni que + Past subjunctive - As if (emphatic use)
Examples:
Can you take my son to school? - Why should I? As if I were your husband!
¿Puedes llevar a mi hijo a la escuela? - ¿Y por qué lo voy a hacer? ¡Ni que fuera yo tu marido!
Why don't you like me? As if I was that ugly.
¿Por que no te gusto yo? Ni que fuera feo
Why didn't Marco buy it? - Why should he? He's not that rich, you know.
¿Por qué Marco no lo compró? - ¡Ni que tuviera mucho dinero!
Ni que lo digas! - It's obvious not even you mention it
Examples:
He is so stupid! - Yes! But there's no need to say that. Everybody knows it, you know!
Es tan estúpido. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
You're more handsome than I - Oh! you don't have to say that! Everybody knows it!
Eres más guapo que yo - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Singapore is a very clean country. - Everybody knows that! Even you don't mention it.
Singapur es un país muy limpio. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Ni siquiera - Not even
Examples:
Our professor is not rich. He even doesn't have a car!
Nuestro profesor no es rico. ¡Ni siquiera tiene coche!
They didn't even speak to me nor look at me.
Ni siquiera me hablaron ni me miraron.
No es para tanto - It's not a big deal/ There's no reason to be sad/ It's okay
Examples:
I missed the show. - It's okay! There's no reason to be sad!
Me perdí el espectáculo. - Está bien. No es para tanto.
They told me I'm not allowed to go to the party. - Don't be sad, it's not a big deal.
Han dicho que no puedo ir a la fiesta. - ¡No es para tanto!
She told me she doesn't love me anymore. - It's okay. Don't be sad. - But I really love her!
Me ha dicho que ya no me quiere. - Está bien. No es para tanto. - ¡Pero, sí que la quiero!
¡No me digas! - You don't say!/ No! you're kidding!/ Really? (Ironic)
Example:
This car is mine. - You don't say! It's Jose's.
Éste es coche mío. - ¡No me digas! Es de Jose.
Ojalá - I wish
Examples:
I wish it rains so that the temperature cools down.
Ojalá llueva para que haga frío.
I wish you were here now, but you are not.
Ojalá estuvieras aquí ahora, pero no lo estás.
May he get well soon. - God willing!
Que se mejore pronto. - ¡Ojalá!
O sea - That is/ You know
Example:
The people, you know, you and I.
La gente, o sea, tú y yo.
I'm looking forward to visiting some European countries, you know, Spain, France, Germany, etc.
Estoy deseando visitar a algunos paises europeos, o sea, España, Francia, Alemania, etc.
Por + INFINITIVE que no quede - There's no harm in + GERUND
Example5:
Why don't you ask the the police? Come one! There's no harm in asking.
¿Por qué no preguntas a la policía? ¡Venga! Por preguntar que no quede.
Try it! There's no harm in trying.
¡Pruébalo! Que no quede por probarlo.
Porque sí - It just does/ There's no explanation for it
Example:
Why you don't like it? - I just don't (like it).
¿Por qué no te gusta? - Porque sí.
Why does it rain at night? - It just does.
¿Por qué llueve por la noche? - Porque sí.
Por si - In case
Examples:
Bring your umbrella in case it rains.
Llévate el paraguas por si llueve.
Make a note in case you forget.
Apúntalo por si te olvidas.
Qué digo... - I mean..
Examples:
She is Spanish, I mean, Mexican.
Es española, qué digo, mexicana.
¡Qué sé yo! - How should I know?
Example:
Did they like it? - How should I know?!
¿Les gustó? - ¡Qué sé yo!
¡Que sí!, ¡Que no! - Yes it is!, No it isn't!
Examples:
It's green! - Yes it is!/ No it isn't!
Es verde. - ¡Que sí!/ ¡Que no!
¡Qué va! - No way!
Examples:
They say you have to sleep with her. - No way!
Han dicho que tienes que dormir con ella - ¡Qué va!
He is going to be your roommate. - What?! Him?! My roommate?!
Va a ser tu compañero de cuarto. - ¡Qué va a ser mi compañero de cuarto ése!
She is going to be your stepmother. - Her? My step mom?!
Será tu madrasta. - ¡Qué va a ser mi madrasta!
Sí que.. - Really, Certainly
Examples:
I really like it!
¡Sí que me gusta!
That's certainly the truth.
Eso sí que es verdad.
Yes you can!
¡Sí que puedes!
You really know how to do it.
Tú sí que sabes hacerlo.
¿Tú crees? - Do you think so?
Example:
I think it's going to rain. - Do you think so? - Yes.
Creo que va a llover. - ¿Tú crees? - Sí.
¡Ya lo creo! - Of course
Example:
Do you think he is going to win? - Of course, I do!
¿Crees que va a ganar? - ¡Ya lo creo!
¡Ya te lo decía yo! - I told you so!
Example:
You were right. Pacquiao won! - See? I'd been telling that to you!
Tenías razón. ¡Pacquiao ganó! - ¿Ves? ¡Ya te lo decía yo!
¡Y que lo digas! - You can say that again!/ Indeed!
Example:
That house is very beautiful! - Indeed!
Esa casa es muy preciosa. - ¡Y que lo digas!
¿Ah sí? - Really?
Example:
Tomorrow we are throwing a party at home - Really? - Yes!
Mañana vamos a montar una fiesta en casa. - ¿Ah sí? - Sí.
¿A que...? - I bet...
Examples:
I bet you won't dare to tell it to her.
¿A que no te atreves a decírselo?
I bet they know it.
A que lo saben.
¿A que no? - Don't you?/ Am I wrong?/ I don't bet
Example:
Marco told me you speak ten languages, don't you?
Marco me dijo que hablas diez idiomas ¿a que no?
¿A que sí? - Do you?/ Am I right?/ I bet!
Examples:
They say you can sing well? Do you?
Dicen que cantas muy bien. ¿A que sí?
You won't dare to check them out because you are jealous, am I right?
Lo que pasa es que no quieres verlos porque tienes envidia, ¿a que sí?
¿A qué viene + INFINITIVE ? - What's the point of + INFINITIVE ?
Example:
What's the point of yelling at me when I can hear you from here?
¿A qué viene gritarme cuando puedo oirte desde aquí?
¡¿Cómo crees?! - How do you get off saying that?!
Examples:
Are you gay? - How do you get off saying that?! / Are you crazy? / How could you say that?
¿Eres gay? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
Is he your boyfriend? - What are you telling me?!
¿Es tu novio? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
¿Cómo de + ADJETIVO...? - How + ADJECTIVE...?
Examples:
How fast is your Firefox?
¿Cómo de rápido es tu firefox?
How big is the Philippines?
¿Cómo de grande es las Filipinas?
Como debe ser - As it should be
Examples:
The chicken can't fly - As it should be
El pollo no puede volar - Como debe ser
¿Cómo es que.. - How come...?
Examples:
How come you don't know the answer? - How should I know?
¿Cómo es que no sabes la respuesta? - ¡Qué sé yo!
How come you didn't come to the party with them?
¿Cómo es que no viniste a la fiesta con ellos?
¡Como quieras! - As you wish!
Example:
I will do it this way! - As you wish! / Whatever way you want!
Lo haré de esta manera - ¡Como quieras!
¿Cómo que..? - What do you mean...?
Examples:
What do you mean she doesn't like me?
¿Cómo que yo no le gusto?
What do you mean it wasn't you?
¿Cómo que no fuiste tú?
Como si + Past/ Past perfect subjunctive - As if (stating a fact)
Examples:
We are eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Comemos léntamente como si no tuvieramos hambre
We were eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Estábamos comiendo léntamente como si no hubiéramos tenido hambre
Dar por sentado - To assume
Examples:
She assumed her mom wouldn't come so she invited her friends to her house.
Dio por sentado que su mamá no vendría, así que invitó a sus amigas a su casa.
He assumed he would get used to his schedule at school in a couple of weeks.
Daba por sentado que se acostumbraría al horario de escuela en un par de semanas.
Es decir - That is to say/ You know/ Figuratively speaking
Examples:
My cousin, you know, Roberto's son.
Mi primo, es decir, el hijo de Roberto.
These words are synonyms, you know, words that mean the same.
Estas palabras son sinónimas, es decir, significan lo mismo.
Es que - The reason is that
Examples:
The reason is that I felt bad, that's why I left.
Es que me sentí mal, por eso me fui.
Menos mal - It's a good thing/ Thank god!
Example:
Thank god you didn't hurt yourself!
Menos mal no te has dañado.
¡Ni hablar! - No way!
Example:
Will you lend me your cap? - No way!
¿Quieres dejarme tu gorra? - ¡Ni hablar!
Ni que + Past subjunctive - As if (emphatic use)
Examples:
Can you take my son to school? - Why should I? As if I were your husband!
¿Puedes llevar a mi hijo a la escuela? - ¿Y por qué lo voy a hacer? ¡Ni que fuera yo tu marido!
Why don't you like me? As if I was that ugly.
¿Por que no te gusto yo? Ni que fuera feo
Why didn't Marco buy it? - Why should he? He's not that rich, you know.
¿Por qué Marco no lo compró? - ¡Ni que tuviera mucho dinero!
Ni que lo digas! - It's obvious not even you mention it
Examples:
He is so stupid! - Yes! But there's no need to say that. Everybody knows it, you know!
Es tan estúpido. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
You're more handsome than I - Oh! you don't have to say that! Everybody knows it!
Eres más guapo que yo - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Singapore is a very clean country. - Everybody knows that! Even you don't mention it.
Singapur es un país muy limpio. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Ni siquiera - Not even
Examples:
Our professor is not rich. He even doesn't have a car!
Nuestro profesor no es rico. ¡Ni siquiera tiene coche!
They didn't even speak to me nor look at me.
Ni siquiera me hablaron ni me miraron.
No es para tanto - It's not a big deal/ There's no reason to be sad/ It's okay
Examples:
I missed the show. - It's okay! There's no reason to be sad!
Me perdí el espectáculo. - Está bien. No es para tanto.
They told me I'm not allowed to go to the party. - Don't be sad, it's not a big deal.
Han dicho que no puedo ir a la fiesta. - ¡No es para tanto!
She told me she doesn't love me anymore. - It's okay. Don't be sad. - But I really love her!
Me ha dicho que ya no me quiere. - Está bien. No es para tanto. - ¡Pero, sí que la quiero!
¡No me digas! - You don't say!/ No! you're kidding!/ Really? (Ironic)
Example:
This car is mine. - You don't say! It's Jose's.
Éste es coche mío. - ¡No me digas! Es de Jose.
Ojalá - I wish
Examples:
I wish it rains so that the temperature cools down.
Ojalá llueva para que haga frío.
I wish you were here now, but you are not.
Ojalá estuvieras aquí ahora, pero no lo estás.
May he get well soon. - God willing!
Que se mejore pronto. - ¡Ojalá!
O sea - That is/ You know
Example:
The people, you know, you and I.
La gente, o sea, tú y yo.
I'm looking forward to visiting some European countries, you know, Spain, France, Germany, etc.
Estoy deseando visitar a algunos paises europeos, o sea, España, Francia, Alemania, etc.
Por + INFINITIVE que no quede - There's no harm in + GERUND
Example5:
Why don't you ask the the police? Come one! There's no harm in asking.
¿Por qué no preguntas a la policía? ¡Venga! Por preguntar que no quede.
Try it! There's no harm in trying.
¡Pruébalo! Que no quede por probarlo.
Porque sí - It just does/ There's no explanation for it
Example:
Why you don't like it? - I just don't (like it).
¿Por qué no te gusta? - Porque sí.
Why does it rain at night? - It just does.
¿Por qué llueve por la noche? - Porque sí.
Por si - In case
Examples:
Bring your umbrella in case it rains.
Llévate el paraguas por si llueve.
Make a note in case you forget.
Apúntalo por si te olvidas.
Qué digo... - I mean..
Examples:
She is Spanish, I mean, Mexican.
Es española, qué digo, mexicana.
¡Qué sé yo! - How should I know?
Example:
Did they like it? - How should I know?!
¿Les gustó? - ¡Qué sé yo!
¡Que sí!, ¡Que no! - Yes it is!, No it isn't!
Examples:
It's green! - Yes it is!/ No it isn't!
Es verde. - ¡Que sí!/ ¡Que no!
¡Qué va! - No way!
Examples:
They say you have to sleep with her. - No way!
Han dicho que tienes que dormir con ella - ¡Qué va!
He is going to be your roommate. - What?! Him?! My roommate?!
Va a ser tu compañero de cuarto. - ¡Qué va a ser mi compañero de cuarto ése!
She is going to be your stepmother. - Her? My step mom?!
Será tu madrasta. - ¡Qué va a ser mi madrasta!
Sí que.. - Really, Certainly
Examples:
I really like it!
¡Sí que me gusta!
That's certainly the truth.
Eso sí que es verdad.
Yes you can!
¡Sí que puedes!
You really know how to do it.
Tú sí que sabes hacerlo.
¿Tú crees? - Do you think so?
Example:
I think it's going to rain. - Do you think so? - Yes.
Creo que va a llover. - ¿Tú crees? - Sí.
¡Ya lo creo! - Of course
Example:
Do you think he is going to win? - Of course, I do!
¿Crees que va a ganar? - ¡Ya lo creo!
¡Ya te lo decía yo! - I told you so!
Example:
You were right. Pacquiao won! - See? I'd been telling that to you!
Tenías razón. ¡Pacquiao ganó! - ¿Ves? ¡Ya te lo decía yo!
¡Y que lo digas! - You can say that again!/ Indeed!
Example:
That house is very beautiful! - Indeed!
Esa casa es muy preciosa. - ¡Y que lo digas!
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