Spanish · B1 · Family moment
If Plans Change in Spanish
Helping your child navigate unexpected changes requires clear, conditional instructions. In Spanish, we use 'si' (if) to establish these 'Plan B' scenarios, typically followed by an instruction in the imperative mood or a promise in the present tense.
What you'll learn
- Formulate 'if-then' sentences for real-life possibilities.
- Distinguish between 'si' (if) and 'cuando' (when) for contingency planning.
- Use the imperative mood to give safety instructions.
- Learn vocabulary related to transportation, meetings, and emergencies.
Spanish phrases for if plans change
Si tu club termina temprano hoy, llámame antes de irte.
If your club finishes early today, call me before you leave.
Uses 'llámame' (call me), an imperative form.
Si el autobús no viene, espera dentro del centro deportivo.
If the bus does not come, wait inside the sports centre.
'Espera' is the informal command for 'to wait'.
Si tu amigo cancela, podemos planear otra cosa.
If your friend cancels, we can plan something else.
'Podemos' indicates a current possibility.
Si pierdes tu llave, pídele ayuda a nuestra vecina.
If you lose your key, ask our neighbour for help.
'Pídele' combines the command 'pide' with the pronoun 'le' (to her/him).
Si se te agota la batería del móvil, puedes usar el teléfono de la recepción.
If your phone battery runs out, you can use the phone at reception.
'Se te agota' is a common way to say something runs out on you unexpectedly.
Si te sientes incómodo en la fiesta de pijamas, puedo ir a buscarte.
If you feel uncomfortable at the sleepover, I can pick you up.
'Ir a buscarte' is the natural way to say 'to pick you up'.
Si no encuentras a tu grupo, quédate en el punto de encuentro.
If you cannot find your group, stay at the meeting point.
'Quédate' is the reflexive command for 'to stay'.
Si suena la alarma durante la reunión de tu club, sigue al monitor hacia afuera.
If the alarm goes off during your club meeting, follow the group leader outside.
'Monitor' is often used for club or camp leaders/instructors.
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
si
if
Distinct from 'sí' (yes) by the lack of an accent.
centro deportivo
sports centre
Commonly used for after-school activities.
punto de encuentro
meeting point
Essential safety vocabulary for children.
fiesta de pijamas
sleepover
Literally 'pajama party'.
Real Conditionals (Type 1)
To talk about likely situations, use 'Si' + Present Indicative, followed by either the Present Indicative (for general results) or the Imperative (for instructions). Unlike German or some other languages, the 'if' clause in Spanish does not require a special word order for the verb.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction | Si + Present, Imperative | Si llueve, entra. |
| Possibility | Si + Present, Present | Si hay tráfico, llego tarde. |
More examples
Si tienes miedo, llámame enseguida.
If you are scared, call me immediately.
Enseguida is a useful word for 'straight away'.
Si el monitor no está, no entres en el gimnasio.
If the instructor isn't there, don't go into the gym.
Negative commands use the subjunctive (no entres).