Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
Sleepy Eyes, Curious Hands in Spanish
This guide focuses on acknowledging your baby's current reality or wishes while gently setting boundaries or explaining the next step. Using 'si bien... pero' or 'es cierto que... pero' allows you to validate their experience before providing a contrast.
What you'll learn
- Learn to express concession using natural Spanish structures.
- Practice contrasting baby's desires with parental necessities.
- Master B2-level connectors for balanced communication.
Spanish phrases for sleepy eyes, curious hands
Es verdad que tienes sueño, pero aún quieres mirar a tu alrededor.
You are sleepy, it's true, but you still want to look around.
Uses 'Es verdad que' to concede a point.
Tu avena está pegajosa, sí, pero sabe muy rica.
Your porridge is sticky, yes, but it tastes lovely.
'Pegajosa' is the standard term for sticky.
Es cierto que el agua está templada, pero no nos quedaremos mucho tiempo en el baño.
The water is warm, it's true, but we won't stay in the bath too long.
'Templada' is often preferred for lukewarm/warm bath water.
Te gusta esa cuchara, pero necesito lavarla antes de que la uses otra vez.
You do like that spoon, but I need to wash it before you use it again.
The subjunctive 'uses' is required after 'antes de que'.
Ciertamente está nublado, pero aún podemos dar un paseo corto en el cochecito.
It's certainly cloudy, but we can still take a short pram walk.
'Cochecito' is the common term for a pram/stroller.
Sí que quieres chapotear más, pero la hora del baño casi ha terminado.
You do want another splash, but bath time is nearly over.
'Chapotear' perfectly captures the action of splashing in water.
Esa palabra es difícil, es verdad, pero me encanta oírte intentarlo.
That word is tricky, it's true, but I love hearing you try.
'Tricky' translates well as 'difícil' or 'complicada'.
Es verdad que hay que cambiarte el pañal, pero podemos darnos un abrazo primero.
Your nappy does need changing, but we can have a cuddle first.
'Darnos un abrazo' is the natural way to say 'have a cuddle'.
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
Es verdad / Es cierto
It is true / It is certain
These are the most common ways to start a concessive sentence in spoken Spanish.
Chapotear
To splash
Specifically refers to playing in water.
Pegajosa
Sticky
Commonly used for food or textures.
Cochecito
Pram/Stroller
Diminutive of 'coche' (car), used universally for baby carriages.
Concessive Structures (Si bien / Aunque / Es verdad que)
To acknowledge a fact before introducing a contrast, Spanish uses several structures. While English often uses '...it's true, but...', Spanish favors placing the concession at the start or using 'sí que' for emphasis.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Emphatic 'Do' | Sí que + Verb | Sí que tienes sueño (You *do* have sleepiness). |
| Validation | Es verdad que... pero... | Es verdad que está frío, pero vamos a salir. |
| Contrast | Aún / Todavía | Aún quieres jugar (You still want to play). |
More examples
Si bien el puré está caliente, ya se está enfriando.
While the puree is hot, it is already cooling down.
'Si bien' is a slightly more formal way to say 'even though' or 'while'.
Es verdad que no quieres ir a dormir, pero tu cuerpo necesita descansar.
It's true you don't want to go to sleep, but your body needs to rest.
A classic parent-child contrast.