Spanish · A2 · Everyday language
I wonder whether in Spanish
This guide teaches you how to express curiosity and uncertainty in Spanish using indirect questions. In English, we use 'whether' or 'if' to link these thoughts; in Spanish, we use 'si'.
What you'll learn
- Learn to express curiosity using 'Me pregunto si...'
- Practice asking for information politely with '¿Sabes si...?'
- Use 'si' to connect main clauses with indirect yes-or-no questions.
Spanish phrases for i wonder whether
Me pregunto si la biblioteca está abierta.
I wonder whether the library is open.
'Me pregunto' literally means 'I ask myself'.
¿Sabes si viene la abuela?
Do you know whether Gran is coming?
'Viene' is the present tense but can imply the immediate future.
Preguntemos si podemos sentarnos aquí.
Let's ask whether we can sit here.
'Preguntemos' is the 'let's' form (imperative) of 'preguntar'.
No sé si esta llave sirve.
I do not know whether this key fits.
'Servir' is used here to mean 'to work' or 'to fit the purpose'.
¿Puedes mirar si la luz está encendida?
Can you check whether the light is on?
'Mirar' is used naturally here to mean 'check' or 'look'.
Me pregunto si el paquete es para nosotros.
I wonder whether the parcel is for us.
'Para nosotros' means 'for us'.
Por favor, pregunta si el asiento está libre.
Please ask whether the seat is free.
'Libre' means free in the sense of 'available'.
¿Sabes si tu amigo está aquí?
Do you know whether your friend is here?
Use 'está' because we are talking about location.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
si
whether / if
Note that 'si' (if) does not have an accent, whereas 'sí' (yes) does.
abierta
open
Matches the feminine noun 'biblioteca'.
paquete
parcel / package
A common masculine noun.
asiento
seat
Commonly used in public transport or theaters.
Indirect Questions with 'Si'
In Spanish, to ask an indirect question (like 'I wonder whether...' or 'Do you know if...'), we use the connector 'si'. Unlike English, the word order usually remains the same as a standard statement.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Wondering | Me pregunto si + [clause] | Me pregunto si llueve. |
| Asking | Pregunta si + [clause] | Pregunta si hay pan. |
| Knowing | No sé si + [clause] | No sé si él sabe. |
More examples
Mira si el gato está en el jardín.
Check whether the cat is in the garden.
A common way to give a small task to a child.
No estoy seguro de si tenemos leche.
I am not sure whether we have milk.
'Seguro de si' is the standard way to express 'sure whether'.