Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
Plans That Fit the Day in Spanish
Teach your child flexibility and planning by using 'dependiendo de' (depending on) phrases. These structures help explain how daily choices—like transportation, playdates, and chores—adjust based on external factors or new information.
What you'll learn
- Express conditional plans using 'dependiendo de'.
- Formulate complex sentences with embedded questions (how much, when, which).
- Discuss practical adjustments to schedules and budgets in natural Spanish.
Spanish phrases for plans that fit the day
Dependiendo de si llueve, caminaremos a la escuela o iremos en autobús.
Depending on whether it's raining, we'll walk to school or take the bus.
Uses 'si' for 'whether' in a conditional context.
Dependiendo de cuánta tarea tengas, podemos organizar una cita de juegos más corta o más larga.
Depending on how much homework you have, we can arrange a shorter or longer playdate.
Remember to use the accent on 'cuánta' in the embedded question.
Dependiendo de cuándo llegue tu amigo, merendaremos antes o después del juego.
Depending on when your friend arrives, we'll have our snack before or after the game.
'Merendar' is the specific verb for having an afternoon snack.
Dependiendo de qué club elijas, necesitarás cosas diferentes en tu bolsa de deporte.
Depending on which club you choose, you'll need different things in your sports bag.
'Elegir' changes to 'elijas' in the subjunctive, often used when the choice is yet to be made.
Dependiendo de lo cansado que te sientas, podemos leer una página cada uno o turnarnos con capítulos enteros.
Depending on how tired you feel, we can read one page each or take turns with whole chapters.
'Lo [adjective] que' is the standard way to say 'how [adjective]'.
Dependiendo de si tu amigo quiere participar, podemos elegir un juego para dos o tres.
Depending on whether your friend wants to join in, we can choose a game for two or three.
'Participar' or 'unirse' works well for 'joining in'.
Dependiendo de cuánto dinero de bolsillo hayas ahorrado, podrías comprar el set pequeño o seguir ahorrando.
Depending on how much pocket money you've saved, you could buy the small set or keep saving.
'Seguir + gerund' (ahorrando) means 'to keep doing something'.
Dependiendo de lo que diga tu profesor, terminaremos el póster esta noche o mañana.
Depending on what your teacher says, we'll finish the poster tonight or tomorrow.
Uses the subjunctive 'diga' because the teacher's input is a future uncertainty.
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
Dependiendo de
Depending on
The most common way to introduce a condition based on variable information.
Tarea
Homework
Used in Latin America; 'deberes' is more common in Spain.
Cita de juegos
Playdate
A literal translation often used, though 'quedar para jugar' is a common verbal alternative.
Dinero de bolsillo
Pocket money
Often simply called 'la paga' in Spain.
Embedded Questions with 'Dependiendo de'
In Spanish, when 'depending on' is followed by a question word (who, what, how), that word retains its written accent even though it is not a direct question. When the outcome is uncertain or in the future, the subjunctive mood is frequently used in the dependent clause.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Whether | Dependiendo de si + [verb] | Dependiendo de si hace sol... |
| How much | Dependiendo de cuánto/a + [noun] | Dependiendo de cuánto tiempo tengamos... |
| What | Dependiendo de lo que + [verb] | Dependiendo de lo que prefieras... |
More examples
Dependiendo de cómo esté el tráfico, llegaremos puntual.
Depending on how traffic is, we will arrive on time.
Shows a practical daily use regarding timing.
Podemos ir al parque o al cine, dependiendo de qué quieras hacer tú.
We can go to the park or the cinema, depending on what you want to do.
Note the accent on 'qué' in the middle of the sentence.