A Gentle Introduction to the Spanish Subjunctive
What the subjunctive is, when it is needed and the easiest ways to start using it.
The subjunctive is a mood, not a tense. It expresses wishes, doubts, emotions and things that are not certain.
Why it matters
Spanish uses the subjunctive far more than English. Even simple sentences, such as "I want you to come", need it.
Forming the present subjunctive
Take the yo form of the present, drop the -o, and add the "opposite" endings:
| Verb type | Endings |
|---|---|
| -ar | -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en |
| -er / -ir | -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an |
- hablar → hable, hables, hable, hablemos, habléis, hablen
- comer → coma, comas, coma, comamos, comáis, coman
Common triggers
Use the subjunctive after expressions of:
| Trigger | Example |
|---|---|
| Wish or desire | Quiero que vengas. I want you to come. |
| Request | Te pido que me ayudes. I ask you to help me. |
| Emotion | Me alegro de que estés aquí. I'm glad you're here. |
| Doubt | Dudo que llegue a tiempo. I doubt he will arrive on time. |
| Impersonal opinion | Es importante que estudies. It's important that you study. |
The key condition
The subjunctive usually appears when there are two different subjects joined by que. With one subject, use the infinitive:
- Quiero estudiar. I want to study.
- Quiero que estudies. I want you to study.
Certainty uses the indicative
- Creo que viene. I think he is coming.
- No creo que venga. I don't think he is coming.
A few set phrases
- Ojalá que llueva. I hope it rains.
- Que tengas un buen día. Have a good day.
- Que te vaya bien. I hope it goes well for you.
Irregular verbs
A few common verbs have irregular subjunctives, such as ser (sea), ir (vaya), estar (esté), saber (sepa) and dar (dé).
Tips
- Start with want + que.
- Learn set phrases like Que tengas un buen día.
- Use the dictionary to check forms.
English Spanish Dictionary
Offline English–Spanish dictionary with gender and accents handled properly
More about English Spanish Dictionary
Food and Restaurant Vocabulary in Spanish
Words and phrases for ordering, eating and paying in a Spanish-speaking restaurant.
Read article →Giving Commands in Spanish: The Imperative
How to form commands with tú and usted, affirmative and negative, plus common irregular forms.
Read article →Shopping and Money in Spanish
Words and phrases for shops, prices, paying and asking for help while shopping in Spanish.
Read article →The Present Perfect in Spanish: He Hablado
How to form and use the present perfect with haber, the participle and the common irregular participles.
Read article →