Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
Following Today's Little Clues in Spanish
This guide focuses on responding to your baby's signals by using conditional structures in Spanish. We will practice using 'dependiendo de' (depending on) followed by interrogative words or 'si' to explain choices in care based on the baby's needs.
What you'll learn
- Express decisions based on circumstances using 'dependiendo de'.
- Integrate indirect questions (how, when, which) into complex sentences.
- Practice using the future tense and present indicative for routines.
- Enhance vocabulary related to baby care and gentle guidance.
Spanish phrases for following today's little clues
Dependiendo de si estás cansado, nos daremos un abrazo o miraremos tu libro.
Depending on whether you're tired, we'll have a cuddle or look at your book.
'Si' is used here as 'whether'. Note the use of 'daremos' (future) to indicate a planned action.
Dependiendo de cuánta hambre tengas, es posible que quieras un poco más.
Depending on how hungry you are, you may want a little more.
Uses 'tengas' (subjunctive) because the amount of hunger is an uncertain variable.
Dependiendo de cuándo te despiertes, iremos a pasear más temprano o más tarde.
Depending on when you wake up, we'll go for our walk earlier or later.
'Cuándo' maintains its accent mark in an indirect question.
Dependiendo de qué libro señales, miraremos animales o vehículos.
Depending on which book you point to, we'll look at animals or vehicles.
'Señales' is in the subjunctive mood to reflect the future choice the baby hasn't made yet.
Dependiendo de cuánto calor haga afuera, elegiré una chaqueta más ligera o más abrigada para ti.
Depending on how warm it is outside, I'll choose a lighter or warmer jacket for you.
'Hacer calor' is the standard way to talk about the temperature.
Dependiendo de si quieres más, te ofreceré otra cucharada o terminaremos tu comida.
Depending on whether you want more, I'll offer another spoonful or finish your meal.
'Cucharada' refers to the contents of a spoon (spoonful).
Dependiendo de cómo te sientas después del baño, cantaremos una canción o nos calmaremos tranquilamente.
Depending on how you feel after your bath, we'll sing a song or settle down quietly.
'Nos calmaremos' translates the idea of settling down to rest.
Dependiendo de dónde esté la sombra, tomaremos este camino o el otro.
Depending on where the shade is, we'll take this path or the other one.
'Dónde esté' uses the subjunctive because the location of the shade is the determining factor.
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
Dependiendo de
Depending on
This phrase is followed by a noun or a clause starting with 'si' or a question word.
Abrigada
Warm / Thick (clothing)
Used for clothing that provides warmth, whereas 'caluroso' describes a person or climate.
Señalar
To point at / To signal
Commonly used when babies use their hands to indicate preferences.
Cucharada
Spoonful
Formed by 'cuchara' (spoon) + the suffix '-ada' (content of).
Dependiendo de + Clause
In Spanish, to express that an action depends on a variable, we use 'dependiendo de' followed by a relative or interrogative clause. Unlike some other languages, the verb in the dependent clause often takes the subjunctive mood when the outcome is yet to be determined.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| With 'Si' | Dependiendo de si + [verb] | Dependiendo de si tienes sueño... |
| With 'Cómo' | Dependiendo de cómo + [subjunctive verb] | Dependiendo de cómo reaccione el bebé... |
| Future Result | [Main Clause in Future] | ...decidiremos qué hacer. |
More examples
Dependiendo de qué juguete prefieras, jugaremos en el suelo o en la mesa.
Depending on which toy you prefer, we'll play on the floor or at the table.
Shows the use of 'qué' as 'which' in this context.
Elegiremos el parque dependiendo de cuánto tiempo tengamos.
We will choose the park depending on how much time we have.
Shows the dependent clause at the end of the sentence.