Spanish · B1 · Family moment
One Thing Next in Spanish
Helping your baby understand the sequence of their day creates a sense of security. In Spanish, we use specific connectors like 'en cuanto' to signal that one action will follow another immediately.
What you'll learn
- Learn to use 'en cuanto' (as soon as) to sequence baby care tasks.
- Practice using the Present Subjunctive for future-oriented subordinate clauses.
- Build vocabulary related to baby routines like feeding and dressing.
Spanish phrases for one thing next
En cuanto te despiertes, te cogeré en brazos.
As soon as you wake up, I'll pick you up.
Uses 'despiertes' (subjunctive) because the awakening hasn't happened yet.
Te traeré el biberón en cuanto la leche esté lista.
I'll bring your bottle as soon as the milk is ready.
'Biberón' is the standard term for baby bottle.
En cuanto terminemos de cambiarte el pañal, nos daremos un abrazo.
As soon as we finish changing your nappy, we'll have a cuddle.
'Darse un abrazo' literally means 'to give each other a hug'.
Saldremos a la calle en cuanto encuentre tu gorrito.
We'll go outside as soon as I find your little hat.
'Gorrito' is the diminutive of 'gorro', often used for baby clothes.
En cuanto el baño esté listo, te ayudaré a entrar al agua.
As soon as your bath is ready, I'll help you into the water.
'Esté' is the subjunctive form of 'estar'.
Te limpiaré la barbilla en cuanto termines de comer.
I'll wipe your chin as soon as you finish eating.
'Barbilla' means chin.
En cuanto el médico diga tu nombre, entraremos juntos.
As soon as the doctor calls your name, we'll go in together.
'Diga' (from decir) is used here for 'calling/saying' a name.
Te sacaré del carrito en cuanto lleguemos a casa.
I'll take you out of the pram as soon as we get home.
'Carrito' is commonly used for a stroller or pram.
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
En cuanto
As soon as
A temporal connector that triggers the subjunctive when referring to the future.
Biberón
Baby bottle
Essential vocabulary for feeding routines.
Pañal
Diaper / Nappy
Part of the daily changing routine.
Carrito
Stroller / Pram
Diminutive of 'carro' used for baby transport.
Subjunctive with Temporal Clauses
When using 'en cuanto' (as soon as) or 'tan pronto como' to talk about an action that has not yet occurred (the future), the verb in the dependent clause must be in the Present Subjunctive.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | En cuanto + [Subjunctive Verb] + [Future/Present Verb] | En cuanto lleguemos (subjunctive), comeremos (future). |
| Example: Despertarse | tú te despiertes | En cuanto te despiertes... |
| Example: Estar | la leche esté | En cuanto la leche esté lista... |
More examples
En cuanto mamá llegue, iremos al parque.
As soon as Mommy arrives, we'll go to the park.
Common way to set expectations for the child.
Te pondré los zapatos en cuanto dejes de mover los pies.
I'll put your shoes on as soon as you stop moving your feet.
A practical phrase for dressing a squirmy baby.