Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
It seems that way, but is it? in Spanish
This guide focuses on expressing impressions and hypothetical scenarios using the construction 'como si' (as if / as though). This structure allows you to describe how something appears while subtly acknowledging that it might not be the actual case.
What you'll learn
- Express impressions without stating them as absolute facts
- Master the use of the Imperfect Subjunctive after the phrase 'como si'
- Communicate nuanced observations about behavior and situations
Spanish phrases for it seems that way, but is it?
Parece como si la habitación estuviera completamente vacía.
It looks as though the room were completely empty.
Uses 'estuviera' (imperfect subjunctive of estar) to describe a state.
Suenas como si no hubieras tenido ninguna opción en absoluto.
You sound as though you had no choice at all.
Uses 'hubieras tenido' (pluperfect subjunctive) for a past hypothetical.
Actúa como si conociera los pensamientos privados de todos.
He acts as if he knew everyone's private thoughts.
'Conociera' is the subjunctive form of conocer (to know/be familiar with).
Esa explicación suena como si todo fuera culpa mía.
That explanation sounds as though everything were my fault.
'Fuera' is the imperfect subjunctive of 'ser'.
Habla como si tuviera tiempo ilimitado.
She talks as if she had unlimited time.
'Tuviera' is the subjunctive form of tener (to have).
Se siente como si esta fila fuera interminable.
It feels as though this queue were never-ending.
'Fila' is common for queue/line; 'interminable' means endless.
Lo describes como si solo hubiera una respuesta posible.
You describe it as if there were only one possible answer.
'Hubiera' is the impersonal 'there were' in the subjunctive.
Se porta como si la decisión fuera solo suya.
He behaves as though the decision were his alone.
'Portarse' is a common reflexive verb for 'to behave'.
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
como si
as if / as though
Always triggers the subjunctive mood in Spanish.
parecer
to seem / look like
Used for external impressions.
sonar (o > ue)
to sound
A stem-changing verb used for auditory or abstract impressions.
actuar / portarse
to act / behave
Used to describe conduct.
The Imperfect Subjunctive with 'Como si'
In Spanish, 'como si' is treated as a trigger for the subjunctive because it introduces a hypothetical or counter-factual comparison. At a B2 level, we primarily use the Imperfect Subjunctive to mark this distance from reality.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Verb + como si + Imperfect Subjunctive | Camina como si fuera rico (He walks as if he were rich). |
| -ar verbs | -ara / -ase endings | Hablara (He/she spoke/were speaking) |
| -er/-ir verbs | -iera / -iese endings | Comiera (He/she ate/were eating) |
More examples
Me miras como si no me creyeras.
You look at me as if you didn't believe me.
'Creyeras' comes from the verb creer.
Gritó como si hubiera visto un fantasma.
He screamed as if he had seen a ghost.
Pluperfect subjunctive for a hypothetical past event.