B1 Spanish GrammarSubjunctive & Conditional
Learn the Spanish conditional tense (condicional simple) for polite requests, hypothetical situations, and wishes. Master conditional conjugations and understand when to use it with si clauses. Explore the connection between conditional and subjunctive moods.
1Conditional Tense Formation
The conditional is formed like the future: add endings to the infinitive. The endings are: -Ãa, -Ãas, -Ãa, -Ãamos, -Ãais, -Ãan. All verbs use the same endings. Verbs with irregular future stems use those same stems in the conditional.
Conditional Tense Endings
| Person | Hablar | Comer | Vivir |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hablarÃa | comerÃa | vivirÃa |
| tú | hablarÃas | comerÃas | vivirÃas |
| él/ella/Ud. | hablarÃa | comerÃa | vivirÃa |
| nosotros | hablarÃamos | comerÃamos | vivirÃamos |
| vosotros | hablarÃais | comerÃais | vivirÃais |
| ellos/Uds. | hablarÃan | comerÃan | vivirÃan |
Examples
Me gustarÃa un café, por favor.
I would like a coffee, please.
gustar + Ãa for polite requests
ComerÃamos en ese restaurante.
We would eat at that restaurant.
hypothetical situation
Ella dijo que vendrÃa.
She said she would come.
future in the past
PodrÃas ayudarme?
Could you help me?
polite request with poder
2Irregular Conditional Stems
The same verbs irregular in the future are irregular in the conditional. They use the same modified stems: tener→tendr-, poder→podr-, saber→sabr-, hacer→har-, decir→dir-, querer→querr-, venir→vendr-, salir→saldr-.
Irregular Conditional Forms
| Infinitive | Stem | yo form | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| tener | tendr- | tendrÃa | I would have |
| poder | podr- | podrÃa | I could |
| saber | sabr- | sabrÃa | I would know |
| hacer | har- | harÃa | I would do/make |
| decir | dir- | dirÃa | I would say |
| venir | vendr- | vendrÃa | I would come |
| querer | querr- | querrÃa | I would want |
| salir | saldr- | saldrÃa | I would leave |
Examples
TendrÃa más tiempo si no trabajara tanto.
I would have more time if I didn't work so much.
tendrÃa with si clause
No sabrÃa qué decir.
I wouldn't know what to say.
sabrÃa = I would know
HarÃa cualquier cosa por ti.
I would do anything for you.
harÃa from hacer
SaldrÃamos a las ocho.
We would leave at eight.
saldrÃamos from salir
3Si Clauses (If Clauses)
Spanish si clauses follow specific patterns. For possible conditions, use si + present + future/present. For hypothetical/contrary-to-fact conditions, use si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional. Never use the conditional or future after si.
Si Clause Patterns
| Type | Si clause | Result clause |
|---|---|---|
| Possible | Si + present | present / future |
| Hypothetical | Si + imperfect subj. | conditional |
| Example (possible) | Si llueve | no salimos / no saldremos |
| Example (hypothetical) | Si tuviera dinero | viajarÃa |
Examples
Si tengo tiempo, te llamo.
If I have time, I'll call you.
possible: present + present
Si tuviera más dinero, comprarÃa una casa.
If I had more money, I would buy a house.
hypothetical: impf. subj. + cond.
Si pudiera, irÃa contigo.
If I could, I would go with you.
contrary to fact situation
Qué harÃas si ganaras la loterÃa?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
hypothetical question
4Uses of the Conditional
The conditional expresses: 1) Polite requests (Me gustarÃa), 2) Hypothetical situations (VivirÃa en España), 3) Future from a past perspective (Dijo que vendrÃa), 4) Probability in the past (SerÃan las tres), 5) Advice (Yo que tú, estudiarÃa más).
Conditional Uses
| Use | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Polite request | QuerrÃa una mesa para dos | I would like a table for two |
| Hypothetical | VivirÃa en la playa | I would live on the beach |
| Future in past | Prometió que vendrÃa | He promised he would come |
| Past probability | TendrÃa unos 30 años | He was probably about 30 |
Examples
PodrÃa traerme la cuenta?
Could you bring me the bill?
very polite request
Yo en tu lugar, no lo harÃa.
If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
advice using conditional
Pensé que llegarÃas antes.
I thought you would arrive earlier.
future from past perspective
SerÃan las diez cuando llegó.
It was probably ten when he arrived.
probability in the past