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. 

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!

Spanish verbs like "Gustar"

As a new learner of Spanish, it's a real struggle to figure out how the verb "Gustar" works, however when you finally get the hang of it, you are on your way to your Spanish mastery. Here I have a list of some verbs that work the same way as the verb "Gustar"

Verbs	Meaning	Sample sentence
Aburrir	to bore	Me aburre ver películas (I feel bored watching movies)
Agradar	to like, to be nice	Me agrada estar aquí (It's nice to be here)
Alegrar	to make feel happy	Me alegra saber que estás bien (I'm happy to know that you're OK)
Apenar	to sadden	Nos apena que tú tengas que irte (We're sad that you have to go)
Apetecer	to feel like	Me apetece comer espagueti (I feel like eating Spaghuetti)
Bastar	to be enough	Me bastó leer el primer párrafo para saber que era un genio (I only had to read the first paragraph to know that he was a genius)
Caer, Sentar, Sabe mal	to put out	Me cayó mal que no me invitaran (I was rather put out that they didn't ask me)
Compensar, Valer la pena	to be worth it	Te compensa hacerlo (It's worth you doing it)
Convenir	to be advisable	Te convendría olvidar ese asunto (You would be well advised to forget all about this business)
Corresponder, Incumbir, Competer	to be one's responsibility	Te corresponde a tí cuidar al niño (It's your responsibility to take care of the child)
Costar trabajo	to be difficult	Me cuesta trabajo entender su acento (I have difficulties understanding his accent)
Chocar	to be shocking	Me choca mucho que la gente no respete la ley (It's shocking that people don't follow the law)
Dar + noun	to make someone feel… etc
Dar igual	to not care	Me da igual (It doesn't matter)
Dar rabia	to make angry	Me da rabia que los niños siempre hagan ruido (The noise the children make drives me mad)
Dar nostalgia	to make feel nostalgic	Le da nostalgia ver la casa de su abuela (Seeing her grandmother's house makes her feel nostalgic)
Dar miedo	to make feel scared	A los niños les da miedo cruzar por la calle (The children are scared crossing the street)
Dar vergüenza	to make feel embarrased	Me da vergüenza pedirle dinero a mis padres (I feel embarrassed asking money to my parents)
Desagradar	to not like	Me desagrada tener que decírselo (I don't like having to tell her)
Disgustar	to upset	Me disgustó mucho que me mintiera (I was very upset that he lied to me)
Doler	to be hurt	Les duele que digas eso (It hurts them that you're saying that)
Emocionar	to be thrilled	Nos emocionan ver películas de terror (We're thrilled about watching horror movies)
Encantar	to love	Te encanta pasear por la playa (You love walking along the beach)
Entusiasmar	to be keen on	Me entusiasma visitar España (I'm keen on visiting Spain)
Exasperar	to be exasperating	Me exasperó tener que esperar (I found having to wait exasperating)
Extrañar	to be strange	Me extraña que no lo sepas (I'm surprised you don't know)
Faltar	to be lacking	Me faltan 3 dolares (I'm lacking three dollars; I need three dollars)
Fascinar	to love	Me fascina viajar (I love travelling)
Fastidiar	to annoy	Me fastidia tener que repetir las cosas (It annoys me to have to repeat things)
Hacer falta	to need	Me hacían falta 10 dolares para poder comprar el libro (I needed 10 dollars to buy the book)
Importar	to matter	A algunos hombres no les importa que su novia cobre más que ellos (Some men don't mind that their girlfriend earn more than them)
Impresionar	to move, shock, surprise	Me impresiona el accidente (The accident has taken be aback)
Interesar	to be interested in	Le interesa el fútbol (He's interested in soccer)
Molestar	to annoy	Me molesta el ruido de la ciudad (The city's noise annoys me)
Parecer + adjective/ adverb	to seem … etc
Parecer bien	to consider it right	Me parece bien que ayudes a tus hermanos (I think it's right that you're helping your brothers)
Parecer injusto	to think it's unfair	Me parece injusto que no podamos participar (I think it's unfair that we can't join)
Preocupar	to worry	Me preocupa que sus hijos no vayan a la escuela (It worries me that her children don't go to school)
Quedar	to have left	Os quedan dos libros por leer (You still have two books to read)
Repugnar	to be disgusting	Me repugna beber de un vaso sucio (I find having to drink out of a dirty glass disgusting)
Ser + adjective	to be… etc
Ser imposible	to not be possible	Me fue imposible ir a la cena (I couldn't go to the dinner)
Ser indiferente	to not matter	Me es indiferente quien lo haga (It doesn't matter who does it)
Servir	to be useful	Estos zapatos ya no me sirven (These shoes are no good to me )
Sobrar	to have too much	No me sobra el tiempo para hacerlo (I don't have enough time to do it)
Sorprender	to be a surprise	Me sorprende que no hables inglés (I'm surprised you don't speak English)