Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Until You Return in Spanish
Help your child navigate independence by setting clear time boundaries. In Spanish, we use 'hasta que' (until) to mark the end of an action, often requiring a specific verb mood called the subjunctive for future events.
What you'll learn
- Learn to set time limits using 'hasta que'.
- Understand when to use the Present Subjunctive after time conjunctions.
- Practice common phrases for independent outings and safety.
Spanish phrases for until you return
Esperaré aquí hasta que termine tu entrenamiento.
I will wait here until your practice ends.
'Termine' is in the subjunctive because the practice hasn't ended yet.
Puedes quedarte en casa de Mia hasta que pase a buscarte.
You can stay at Mia's until I pick you up.
'Pasar a buscar' is a common way to say 'to pick up someone'.
Por favor, quédate adentro hasta que pase la tormenta.
Please stay inside until the storm passes.
'Quédate' is the informal imperative (command) form of 'quedarse'.
Mantendremos tu cena caliente hasta que vuelvas a casa.
We will keep your dinner warm until you come home.
'Vuelvas' comes from the verb 'volver' (to return).
Mantén tu teléfono encendido hasta que llegues.
Keep your phone on until you arrive.
'Llegues' is the subjunctive form of 'llegar'.
Puedes usar mi escritorio hasta que tu proyecto esté terminado.
You can use my desk until your project is finished.
'Esté' is the subjunctive form of 'estar'.
Me quedaré hasta que lleguen los padres de tu amigo.
I will stay until your friend's parents arrive.
'Lleguen' is plural to match 'los padres'.
Por favor, espera hasta que hayamos hecho un plan.
Please wait until we have made a plan.
'Hayamos hecho' is the present perfect subjunctive.
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
hasta que
until
A conjunction used to indicate the end point of a time period.
entrenamiento
practice/training
Commonly used for sports or musical rehearsals.
quedarse
to stay/remain
A reflexive verb used frequently in the context of location.
buscar
to look for / to pick up
In many regions, 'pasar a buscar' is used for picking someone up in a vehicle.
The Subjunctive with 'Hasta que'
In Spanish, when 'hasta que' refers to a future or pending action (something that has not happened yet), the verb that follows must be in the Subjunctive mood. This is different from English, which uses the simple present.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Future/Pending | Hasta que + Subjunctive | Esperaré hasta que llegues. (I will wait until you arrive.) |
| Habitual/Past | Hasta que + Indicative | Siempre espero hasta que llegas. (I always wait until you arrive.) |
More examples
No salgas hasta que pare de llover.
Don't go out until it stops raining.
A safety instruction using the negative imperative.
Estaré en la biblioteca hasta que cierren.
I will be in the library until they close.
Uses 'cierren' (subjunctive) because the closing hasn't happened yet.