Spanish for preschoolers

Spanish · A2 · Family moment

A sleepover at Granny's in Spanish

This guide focuses on providing reassurance to children during their first night away from home, using the Spanish construction for 'until' to make comforting promises.

What you'll learn

  • Learn to use 'hasta que' to express a time limit.
  • Understand the use of the subjunctive mood after 'hasta que' for future actions.
  • Master comforting vocabulary for sleepovers at Granny's.

Spanish phrases for a sleepover at granny's

  • Me quedaré hasta que venga la abuela.

    I will stay until Granny comes.

    'Venga' is the subjunctive form of 'venir' because the action hasn't happened yet.

  • Podemos abrazarnos hasta que te sientas listo.

    We can cuddle until you feel ready.

    'Sientas' is the subjunctive form of 'sentirse'.

  • Esperaré hasta que tengas tu conejo.

    I will wait until you have your rabbit.

    'Tengas' is the subjunctive form of 'tener'.

  • La abuela se sentará aquí hasta que te duermas.

    Granny will sit here until you fall asleep.

    'Duermas' comes from the reflexive verb 'dormirse'.

  • La lucecita se queda encendida hasta que estés dormido.

    The little light stays on until you are asleep.

    'Estés' is the subjunctive form of 'estar'.

  • Tu bolsa se puede quedar aquí hasta que nos vayamos.

    Your bag can stay here until we leave.

    'Vayamos' is the subjunctive form of 'irse' (to leave).

  • Susurraremos hasta que el bebé se despierte.

    We will whisper until the baby wakes up.

    'Despierte' is the subjunctive form of 'despertarse'.

  • Puedes quedarte con mi bufanda hasta que yo vuelva.

    You can keep my scarf until I come back.

    'Vuelva' is the subjunctive form of 'volver'.

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Key words

hasta que

until

Triggers the subjunctive mood when referring to a future or pending event.

quedarse

to stay / to remain

A reflexive verb commonly used for people or objects staying in a place.

dormirse

to fall asleep

Different from 'dormir' (to sleep); this focuses on the transition to sleep.

conejo

rabbit

Often refers to a stuffed animal (peluche) in this context.

Subordinate Clauses with 'Hasta que'

In Spanish, when 'hasta que' (until) introduces an action that has not yet occurred (a promise or future event), the verb in that clause must be in the Present Subjunctive. The main clause usually contains a future tense or a command.

UseFormExample
Structure[Main Verb] + hasta que + [Subjunctive Verb]Estaré aquí hasta que te duermas.
Ir (to go) Subjunctivevaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayáis, vayanHasta que nos vayamos.
Sentirse (to feel) Subjunctiveme sienta, te sientas, se sienta, nos sintamosHasta que te sientas mejor.

More examples

No me iré hasta que cierres los ojos.

I won't leave until you close your eyes.

A very common reassurance for bedtime.

Jugaremos hasta que sea la hora de dormir.

We will play until it is bedtime.

'Sea' is the subjunctive of 'ser'.

Escucharemos música hasta que estés tranquilo.

We will listen to music until you are calm.

Using 'estar' for a temporary state of being.

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