Spanish · A2 · Everyday language
Thoughts We Share in Spanish
Sharing thoughts and hopes with your child is a great way to build connection. In Spanish, we use the connector 'que' (that) to link verbs like thinking, knowing, and saying to the message we want to share.
What you'll learn
- Express opinions using 'pensar que'
- State facts using 'saber que'
- Express wishes using 'esperar que'
- Report speech using 'decir que'
Spanish phrases for thoughts we share
Pienso que tu mochila es demasiado pesada.
I think that your school bag is too heavy.
'Demasiado' means 'too' or 'too much'.
¿Piensas que este libro es divertido?
Do you think that this book is funny?
'Divertido' can mean both 'fun' and 'funny'.
Sé que tu tarea es difícil.
I know that your homework is difficult.
'Sé' is the first person form of 'saber' (to know information).
Sabes que el fútbol empieza a las cuatro.
You know that football starts at four.
Time in Spanish is expressed with 'a las'.
Espero que tu amigo pueda venir.
I hope that your friend can come over.
'Pueda' is the subjunctive form used after 'espero que'.
Esperamos que te diviertas en la escuela.
We hope that you have fun at school.
'Divertirse' is a reflexive verb meaning 'to have fun'.
Tu maestra dice que lees bien.
Your teacher says that you read well.
'Maestra' is for a female teacher, 'maestro' for a male teacher.
Dices que tu diente está flojo.
You say that your tooth is loose.
'Flojo' is the common word for a loose tooth.
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
Mochila
Backpack / School bag
A common word in Spanish-speaking classrooms.
Tarea
Homework
Commonly used in Latin America; 'deberes' is more common in Spain.
Flojo
Loose / Slack
Used to describe things that aren't tight, like a tooth or a knot.
Fútbol
Soccer / Football
Refers to association football.
Using 'que' as a Connector
In Spanish, the word 'que' acts like the English word 'that'. Unlike in English, where we can often omit 'that' (e.g., 'I think you are right'), in Spanish, 'que' is mandatory to link the clauses.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking | Pensar + que | Pienso que es tarde. |
| Knowing | Saber + que | Sé que estás listo. |
| Saying | Decir + que | Dice que tiene hambre. |
Expressing Hopes (The Subjunctive)
When using 'esperar que' (I hope that), the verb in the second part of the sentence must change to the Subjunctive mood because you are expressing a wish rather than a fact.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hope (Subject 1) | Espero que... | Espero que tengas un buen día. |
More examples
Mamá dice que la cena está lista.
Mom says that dinner is ready.
A simple way to report information to a child.
Sé que puedes hacerlo.
I know that you can do it.
Encouraging phrase using 'saber que'.
Espero que duermas bien.
I hope that you sleep well.
'Duermas' is the subjunctive form of 'dormir'.