Spanish · C1 · Family moment
Kind Requests Around You in Spanish
This guide focuses on relaying polite requests among family members concerning a baby's care. In Spanish, when reporting a request or wish, the subjunctive mood is used to preserve the 'soft' or 'requested' nature of the statement, mirroring the nuances of formal indirect speech.
What you'll learn
- Express reported requests using 'pedir que' followed by the subjunctive.
- Maintain a polite and gentle tone when narrating family interactions to a baby.
- Correctly use indirect object pronouns and kinship terms in complex sentences.
Spanish phrases for kind requests around you
La abuela pide que papá traiga tu babero limpio, pequeñín.
Grandma asks that Daddy bring your clean bib over, little one.
Uses 'pide que' + subjunctive 'traiga'.
Papá pide que la abuela cante tu nana favorita.
Daddy asks that Grandma sing your favourite lullaby.
'Nana' is the common Spanish term for lullaby.
El abuelo pide que todos hablen bajito mientras te calmas.
Grandpa asks that everyone speak softly while you settle.
'Bajito' is a diminutive used here to convey a gentle volume.
Mamá pide que papá compruebe el agua del baño antes de que entres.
Mummy asks that Daddy check your bath water before you get in.
'Antes de que' always triggers the subjunctive ('entres').
La abuela pide que el abuelo traiga el cochecito a la puerta.
Grandma asks that Grandpa bring the stroller to the door.
'Cochecito' is the standard term for a baby stroller.
Papá pide que todos te den un poco de espacio mientras te acostumbras a ellos.
Daddy asks that everyone give you a little space while you get used to them.
'Dén' is the plural subjunctive form of 'dar'.
Mamá pide que la abuela le pase un pañal limpio para ti.
Mummy asks that Grandma pass her a fresh nappy for you.
'Le' refers to Mummy (the recipient of the nappy).
El abuelo pide que Teddy te desee unas buenas noches muy dulces.
Grandpa asks that Teddy wish you a very gentle goodnight.
'Desee' is the subjunctive form of 'desear' (to wish).
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
nana
lullaby
Commonly used in Spain; in parts of Latin America, 'canción de cuna' is also used.
babero
bib
Derived from 'baba' (drool).
cochecito
stroller / pram
Diminutive of 'coche' (car).
acostumbrarse
to get used to
A reflexive verb followed by the preposition 'a'.
Reported Requests (Subjunctive)
To report a request in Spanish, we use 'Pedir que' + [Subject] + [Present Subjunctive]. This construction avoids the imperative while maintaining the 'force' of a request rather than a factual statement.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pedir (Present) | Pide que... | Mamá pide que... |
| -ar verbs | -e / -en | Hable (from hablar) |
| -er / -ir verbs | -a / -an | Traiga (from traer) |
More examples
Dile a papá que la abuela pide que le ayude.
Tell Daddy that Grandma asks that he help her.
A nested request using the imperative 'dile' and the subjunctive 'ayude'.
Mamá pide que no hagas mucho ruido.
Mummy asks that you don't make much noise.
A negative request using 'no' + subjunctive.