Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Imagine Your Choices in Spanish
This guide focuses on using the conditional tense in Spanish to discuss hypothetical choices and 'what if' scenarios regarding money and wishes. It introduces the structure for imagining different outcomes with your child.
What you'll learn
- Form the conditional tense (condicional simple) to express 'would'.
- Use hypothetical 'if' (si) clauses with the imperfect subjunctive and conditional.
- Discuss basic financial concepts like saving and choosing between options.
Spanish phrases for imagine your choices
¿Qué comprarías con diez euros?
What would you buy with ten euros?
'Comprarías' is the conditional form of 'comprar'.
Ahorraría la mitad de mi paga.
I would save half of my pocket money.
'La paga' is a common term for a child's allowance or pocket money.
¿Elegirías un cómic o un balón nuevo?
Would you choose a comic or a new ball?
'Elegirías' comes from the verb 'elegir' (to choose).
Si ahorraras durante cuatro semanas, tendrías suficiente para ese juego.
If you saved for four weeks, you would have enough for that game.
Uses 'si' + imperfect subjunctive (ahorraras) followed by the conditional (tendrías).
Si compráramos una fiambrera más barata, nos sobraría dinero para un libro.
If we bought a cheaper lunchbox, we would have money left for a book.
'Sobrar' is used when something is 'left over' or 'extra'.
Si tu amigo te visitara el sábado, hornearíamos algo juntos.
If your friend visited on Saturday, we would bake something together.
'Hornear' specifically refers to baking in an oven.
Pondría las monedas en un tarro para que no se perdieran.
I would put the coins in a jar so they would not get lost.
'Pondría' is the irregular conditional form of 'poner'.
Si gastaras todo tu dinero hoy, esperarías más tiempo por esos patines.
If you spent all your money today, you would wait longer for those skates.
'Gastaras' is the subjunctive form used for the hypothetical 'if' condition.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
La paga
Pocket money / Allowance
Commonly used in Spain; in Latin America, 'domingo' or 'mesada' might be used.
Ahorrar
To save
Specifically used for saving money or resources.
Fiambrera
Lunchbox
Also known as 'lonchera' in many Latin American countries.
Sobrar
To be left over
Very common when talking about money remaining after a purchase.
The Conditional Tense (Condicional Simple)
To say what 'would' happen, we add endings directly to the infinitive. All -ar, -er, and -ir verbs use the same endings.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo (I) | Infinitive + -ía | Compraría (I would buy) |
| Tú (You) | Infinitive + -ías | Comprarías (You would buy) |
| Él/Ella/Nosotros | Infinitive + -ía / -íamos | Ahorraríamos (We would save) |
Hypothetical 'Si' Clauses
When imagining a situation that isn't currently true, Spanish uses 'Si' + Imperfect Subjunctive, followed by the Conditional.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Si + [Subj. -ra/-ras] + [Cond. -ía] | Si tuvieras dinero, comprarías el juguete. (If you had money, you would buy the toy.) |
More examples
Si yo fuera tú, guardaría el dinero en la hucha.
If I were you, I would keep the money in the piggy bank.
'Hucha' is the word for a piggy bank.
¿Qué haríamos con un millón de euros?
What would we do with a million euros?
'Haríamos' is the irregular conditional of 'hacer'.