Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Knowing what to do in a fire drill in Spanish
Helping your child understand school safety procedures is essential for their confidence. In Spanish, we use 'si' (if) to create conditional sentences that explain what to do in specific situations. This guide focuses on clear instructions using the present tense and imperatives.
What you'll learn
- Expressing conditions and consequences using 'si'
- Giving and following safety instructions in Spanish
- Distinguishing between situational 'if' and habitual 'when'
Spanish phrases for knowing what to do in a fire drill
Si suena la alarma, deja tus cosas atrás.
If the alarm goes off, leave your things behind.
Uses the imperative 'deja' for a direct command.
Si no puedes ver a tu profesor, díselo a otro adulto.
If you cannot see your teacher, tell another adult.
'Díselo' combines the command 'di' with 'se' (to him/her) and 'lo' (it).
Si el pasillo tiene humo, usa la otra salida.
If the corridor is smoky, use the other exit.
Literally 'if the hallway has smoke'.
Si tienes miedo, quédate cerca de tu grupo.
If you feel frightened, stay close to your group.
We use 'tener miedo' (to have fear) instead of 'sentirse'.
Si falta alguien, avisa al profesor de inmediato.
If someone is missing, tell the teacher straight away.
'Falta alguien' indicates that someone is lacking or missing.
Si estamos fuera, ¿dónde nos encontramos?
If we are outside, where should we meet?
'Encontrarse' is used here for a meeting point.
Si olvidas las instrucciones, sigue a tu profesor.
If you forget the instructions, follow your teacher.
'Sigue' is the imperative form of 'seguir'.
Si solo es un simulacro, seguimos caminando con calma.
If it is only a practice, we still walk calmly.
'Simulacro' is the specific Spanish word for a drill.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
simulacro
drill / practice
Used for fire drills (simulacro de incendio) or emergency practices.
sonar
to sound / to ring
Used when an alarm or a bell goes off.
de inmediato
straight away / immediately
A formal way to say 'ahora mismo'.
pasillo
corridor / hallway
Common word for school hallways.
Real Conditionals (Type 1)
To talk about possible situations, Spanish uses 'si' + Present Indicative. Unlike English which might use 'will' in the result, Spanish often uses the Present or Imperative for immediate instructions.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Condition (Si) | Si + Presente | Si llueve... |
| Result (Action) | Imperativo / Presente | ...usa el paraguas. |
Si vs. Cuando
Use 'si' for things that might happen (contingency). Use 'cuando' for things that definitely happen regularly (habitual).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertainty | Si (If) | Si suena la alarma (It might sound). |
| Habit/Time | Cuando (When) | Cuando termina la clase (It happens every day). |
More examples
Si hay mucho ruido, tápate los oídos.
If there is a lot of noise, cover your ears.
A helpful instruction for sensitive children during loud alarms.
Si ves una luz roja, no entres.
If you see a red light, do not enter.
A clear negative command using 'no' + subjunctive 'entres'.