Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Helping You Explore in Spanish
This guide focuses on narrating your supportive actions to your child using purpose clauses. In Spanish, when you do something so that someone else can do something, you use 'para que' followed by the subjunctive mood.
What you'll learn
- Use 'para que' to express purpose with different subjects.
- Master the present subjunctive for common verbs like poder, tener, and sentirse.
- Learn vocabulary related to supportive care and discovery.
Spanish phrases for helping you explore
Estoy cortando el plátano en trozos pequeños para que puedas comerlo fácilmente.
I am cutting the banana into small pieces so that you can eat it easily.
Uses 'para que' + 'puedas' (subjunctive of poder).
Estoy sosteniendo la taza para que puedas dar un sorbito.
I am holding the cup so that you can take a small sip.
'Sorbito' is the diminutive of 'sorbo' (sip), common in child-directed speech.
Estoy apartando la cesta para que tengas más espacio para gatear.
I am moving the basket aside so that you have more room to crawl.
'Gatear' specifically means to crawl on hands and knees.
Estoy poniendo el juguete a tu alcance para que puedas recogerlo tú mismo.
I am putting the toy within reach so that you can pick it up yourself.
'A tu alcance' means within your reach.
Estoy cerrando las cortinas para que puedas dormir más tranquilamente.
I am closing the curtains so that you can sleep more peacefully.
The subjunctive 'puedas' follows 'para que' because the intent involves the child's action.
Estoy hablando despacio para que puedas oír cada palabra claramente.
I am speaking slowly so that you can hear each word clearly.
Adverbs ending in -ly in English often end in -mente in Spanish.
Estoy preparando un pañal limpio para que papá pueda cambiarte.
I am laying out a clean nappy so that Dad can change you.
Note the subject change from 'Yo' (preparing) to 'Papá' (changing).
Me siento cerca de ti para que te sientas seguro.
I am sitting close to you so that you feel safe.
'Te sientas' is the subjunctive of the reflexive verb 'sentirse'.
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
para que
so that / in order that
Always triggers the subjunctive when there is a change of subject.
gatear
to crawl
Derived from 'gato' (cat), referring to moving on all fours.
a tu alcance
within your reach
Useful for describing baby-proofed or accessible environments.
sorbito
little sip
Diminutives like this are very common when talking to toddlers.
Purpose Clauses with 'Para Que'
When the subject of the main clause (e.g., I am doing X) is different from the subject of the purpose clause (e.g., so that YOU can do Y), Spanish requires 'para que' followed by the Present Subjunctive. If the subjects were the same, you would simply use 'para' + infinitive.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main Clause | Present Continuous | Estoy ayudándote... |
| Connector | para que | ...para que... |
| Subordinate Clause | Present Subjunctive | ...tengas éxito. (so that you have success) |
More examples
Abro la puerta para que entre aire fresco.
I open the door so that fresh air comes in.
Subjunctive 'entre' is used for the air (different subject).
Te doy la mano para que no te caigas.
I give you my hand so that you don't fall.
'Caigas' is the subjunctive of caerse.
Bajo la música para que el bebé descanse.
I turn down the music so that the baby rests.
Purpose clause with a change of subject.