Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Dreams Within Reach in Spanish
This guide focuses on discussing hypothetical scenarios and future dreams with your child. In Spanish, we use the Conditional tense (like 'would') and the Imperfect Subjunctive (like 'if you were/did') to explore possibilities that aren't yet real but are within reach.
What you'll learn
- Form the Conditional tense to express 'would'.
- Use the Imperfect Subjunctive in 'si' (if) clauses for hypothetical situations.
- Discuss personal choices, saving money, and shared activities.
- Differentiate between realistic plans and imagined outcomes.
Spanish phrases for dreams within reach
¿Qué comprarías si ahorraras tu paga durante tres meses?
What would you buy if you saved your pocket money for three months?
Uses 'comprarías' (conditional) and 'ahorraras' (imperfect subjunctive).
Te ayudaría si organizaras una venta benéfica.
I would help you if you organised a charity sale.
'Venta benéfica' is a common term for a charity or bake sale.
Si convirtiéramos el cuarto libre en una sala de juegos, tendrías más espacio.
If we turned the spare room into a hobby room, you would have more space.
'Cuarto libre' means spare room; 'tendrías' is the irregular conditional of 'tener'.
¿Te unirías al club de teatro si tu amigo también se uniera?
Would you join the drama club if your friend joined too?
'Unirse' is a reflexive verb meaning to join a group.
Si practicaras todos los días, pronto tocarías esa canción.
If you practised every day, you would soon play that song.
Use 'tocar' for playing instruments, not 'jugar'.
Elegiría un juego más tranquilo para una noche de pijamas.
I would choose a quieter game for a late sleepover evening.
'Noche de pijamas' is the natural way to say sleepover.
Si planificáramos la fiesta juntos, encontraríamos algo que todos disfrutarían.
If we planned the party together, we would find something everyone would enjoy.
Note the accent on 'planificáramos' for the 'we' form of the subjunctive.
¿Gastarías menos en meriendas si ahorraras para un monopatín?
Would you spend less on snacks if you saved for a skateboard?
'Meriendas' refers to snacks, usually in the afternoon.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Ahorrar
To save (money)
Crucial for discussing goals and pocket money.
La paga
Pocket money / Allowance
Commonly used in Spain for children's weekly money.
Monopatín
Skateboard
Often used interchangeably with 'skate' in some regions.
Benéfica
Charity / Charitable
Adjective used for non-profit events.
The Conditional Tense (Would)
To express what 'would' happen, add endings to the full infinitive (-ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían). This corresponds to the German 'würde + infinitive' structure.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Comprar (to buy) | comprar-ía | Yo compraría un helado. |
| Tener (to have - irregular) | tendr-ía | Tú tendrías un gato. |
Hypothetical 'Si' Clauses
In Spanish, the 'if' part of a hypothetical sentence uses the Imperfect Subjunctive. The most common ending is -ara (for -ar verbs) or -iera (for -er/-ir verbs).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Si + Subjunctive + Conditional | Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. |
| Common Endings | -ara / -iera | Si hablaras... (If you spoke...) |
More examples
Si fuera invisible, iría al cine gratis.
If I were invisible, I would go to the cinema for free.
'Fuera' is the imperfect subjunctive of 'ser'.
Mamá, ¿qué harías con un millón de euros?
Mom, what would you do with a million euros?
'Harías' is the irregular conditional of 'hacer'.