Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Calm Backup Plans in Spanish
Providing your child with 'backup plans' helps build their resilience and reduces anxiety about the unknown. In Spanish, we use 'Si' (If) to introduce these possible scenarios, followed by a clear action plan.
What you'll learn
- Formulating contingency plans using 'Si' with the Present Indicative.
- Using the imperative and future tenses to provide instructions for specific scenarios.
- Discussing school-related setbacks and practical solutions.
Spanish phrases for calm backup plans
Si llego tarde hoy, por favor espera con tu profesor.
If I am late today, please wait with your teacher.
'Espera' is the informal command form (imperative) for 'tú'.
Si pierdes tu fiambrera, podemos revisar el aula juntos.
If you lose your lunchbox, we can check the classroom together.
'Fiambrera' is commonly used in Spain; 'lonchera' is common in Latin America.
Si suena la alarma de la escuela, quédate con tu clase.
If the school alarm goes off, stay with your class.
'Quédate' comes from the reflexive verb 'quedarse' (to stay).
Si tu amigo no puede venir a casa, podemos jugar a un juego juntos.
If your friend cannot come over, we can play a game together.
'Venir a casa' is the natural way to say 'come over' in this context.
Si llueve esta tarde, traeré tu chaqueta impermeable.
If it rains this afternoon, I will bring your waterproof jacket.
'Traeré' is the simple future tense of 'traer'.
Si no encuentras el polideportivo, pide ayuda a un adulto.
If you cannot find the sports hall, ask an adult for help.
'Polideportivo' refers to a multi-purpose sports hall or center.
Si se te cae el diente en la escuela, avisa a tu profesor.
If your loose tooth falls out at school, tell your teacher.
'Se te cae' uses the accidental 'se' to describe something happening unexpectedly.
Si necesitas ayuda con estos deberes, estoy aquí.
If you need help with this homework, I am here.
'Deberes' is the standard term for school homework in Spain.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
fiambrera
lunchbox
A container for carrying food.
impermeable
waterproof / raincoat
Can be used as an adjective or a noun.
polideportivo
sports hall
Literal translation: 'multi-sport'.
avisar
to notify / to tell
More specific than 'decir' when reporting a situation.
Real Conditionals (Type 1)
To talk about possible future situations and their results, use 'Si' + Present Indicative. The second part of the sentence can be in the Present, Future, or Imperative.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Condition (Present) | Si + [Present Indicative] | Si tienes hambre... |
| Result (Imperative) | [Command Form] | ...come una manzana. |
| Result (Future) | [Future Tense] | ...comeremos pronto. |
More examples
Si olvidas tu abrigo, pregunta en objetos perdidos.
If you forget your coat, ask at lost and found.
'Objetos perdidos' literally means 'lost objects'.
Si te sientes mal, ve a la enfermería.
If you feel unwell, go to the nurse's office.
'Ve' is the irregular imperative of 'ir' (to go).