Spanish · B2 · Family moment
If the Journey Takes a Turn in Spanish
When children start traveling independently by bus, discussing contingencies builds confidence. In Spanish, we can express 'should something happen' using the subjunctive or specific conditional structures. This guide focuses on using 'De + infinitive' or 'Si' constructions that mirror the English tentative future contingency, providing calm and clear instructions.
What you'll learn
- Express tentative future contingencies using 'De' or 'Si'.
- Provide clear instructions for travel emergencies.
- Practice vocabulary related to bus travel and safety.
Spanish phrases for if the journey takes a turn
De cancelarse el autobús, llámame antes de elegir otra ruta.
Should the bus be cancelled, call me before choosing another route.
Using 'De + infinitive' (De cancelarse) is a concise way to express 'If it should be'.
De pasarte de parada, mantén la calma y pregunta al conductor dónde bajar de forma segura.
Should you miss your stop, stay calm and ask the driver where to get off safely.
'Pasarse de parada' is the natural way to say 'missing your stop'.
De agotarse la batería de tu móvil, tienes mi número escrito en tu mochila.
Should your phone battery run out, you have my number written in your bag.
'Agotarse' means to run out or be depleted.
De estar cerrada la parada, ve al mostrador de información que vimos juntos.
Should the stop be closed, go to the staffed information desk we looked at together.
'Mostrador de información' is the term for a staffed information desk.
De sentirte incómodo, puedes pedir ayuda al conductor.
Should you feel uncomfortable, you can ask the driver for help.
In Spanish, we use 'sentirse' (reflexive) for physical or emotional states.
De cambiar de planes tu amigo, avísame antes de ir a otro lugar.
Should your friend change the plan, let me know before you go somewhere else.
'Avísame' is the imperative for 'let me know' or 'notify me'.
De tardar el viaje más de lo esperado, envíame un mensaje cuando puedas.
Should the journey take longer than expected, send me a message when you can.
'Tardar' is used specifically for the duration of time a journey or action takes.
De decidir que prefieres que te recoja, puedes decírmelo sin compromiso.
Should you decide that you would rather be picked up, you can tell me without embarrassment.
'Sin compromiso' or 'sin pena' captures the idea of 'without embarrassment/worry'.
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
De + infinitivo
If... should / In case of...
A formal and concise conditional structure common in instructions.
Pasarse de parada
To miss one's stop
Specifically used when you stay on the transport too long.
Recoger
To pick up
Used for picking someone up in a vehicle.
Avisar
To notify / To let know
More specific than 'decir' (to tell) in safety contexts.
Conditional Contingencies with 'De'
In English, we use 'Should the bus be cancelled...'. In Spanish, a natural way to express this at a B2 level is using the preposition 'De' followed by an infinitive. This acts as a conditional clause.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | De + [Infinitive] + [Subject] | De llegar tarde el tren... |
| Alternative (Si) | Si + [Present Indicative] | Si el autobús se cancela... |
| Reflexive Use | De + [Inf + Pronoun] | De perderte (If you should get lost)... |
More examples
De perder el autobús, quédate en la terminal.
Should you miss the bus, stay in the terminal.
Short, clear instruction using the 'De' structure.
De no encontrar el sitio, llámame por videollamada.
Should you not find the place, call me via video call.
Adding 'no' before the infinitive makes it negative.