Spanish · C1 · Family moment
What I Can Tell So Far in Spanish
This guide focuses on expressing limitations to one's knowledge or observations when interacting with a child. In Spanish, these epistemic limiting clauses help parents validate their child's feelings or share information while acknowledging that their perspective might be subjective or incomplete.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of limiting clauses like 'por lo que' and 'que yo sepa'.
- Understand how to use the subjunctive and indicative in limiting contexts.
- Learn to express tentative observations about a baby's needs.
- Differentiate between factual certainty and subjective assessment.
Spanish phrases for what i can tell so far
Por lo que veo, te gustaría un rincón más tranquilo.
As far as I can tell, you would like a quieter corner.
'Por lo que veo' is a common way to say 'as far as I can see/tell' in a physical or observational sense.
Que yo sepa, papá ha guardado tus pañales limpios.
As far as I know, Daddy has packed your clean nappies.
'Que yo sepa' uses the subjunctive and is the standard way to limit a statement to your current knowledge.
Hasta donde yo sé, la abuela vendrá después de tu siesta.
As far as I am aware, Grandma is coming after your nap.
'Hasta donde yo sé' is an alternative to 'que yo sepa', functioning similarly to 'to the extent of my knowledge'.
Por lo que puedo juzgar, esta cucharada ya está lo suficientemente fría.
As far as I can judge, this spoonful is cool enough now.
'Por lo que puedo juzgar' indicates an assessment or evaluation of a situation.
Por lo que parece, la luz brillante te está molestando.
As far as I can tell, the bright light is bothering you.
'Por lo que parece' (by how it looks) is useful for interpreting a baby's non-verbal cues.
Que yo sepa, tu gorrito está en la cesta del carrito.
As far as I know, your little hat is in the stroller basket.
'Carrito' is commonly used for stroller/pram in Spanish.
Hasta donde tengo entendido, tu mantita favorita ya está seca.
As far as I am aware, your favourite blanket is dry now.
'Tengo entendido' adds a layer of 'this is what I have been told/informed'.
Por lo que veo, ya estás listo para salir del baño.
As far as I can tell, you are ready to leave the bath.
Uses 'veo' (I see) to indicate an observation of the baby's readiness.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Que yo sepa
As far as I know
Specifically uses the present subjunctive 'sepa' to denote the limit of knowledge.
Por lo que...
Based on what...
A versatile construction followed by a verb (veo, entiendo, parece) to show the basis of a claim.
Hasta donde
Up to where / To the extent
Literally 'until where', used to set boundaries on a statement.
Mantita
Little blanket
The diminutive '-ita' makes the word sound more affectionate and child-friendly.
Epistemic Limiting Clauses
These clauses restrict the validity of a statement to the speaker's knowledge. Unlike 'sofern' in German which implies a condition, these focus on the speaker's current perspective.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Limit | Que yo sepa + [Main Clause] | Que yo sepa, no tiene hambre. |
| Observational Limit | Por lo que [verb in indicative] | Por lo que veo, tienes sueño. |
| Understanding Limit | Hasta donde tengo entendido | Hasta donde tengo entendido, ya comió. |
More examples
Por lo que entiendo, no quieres jugar más con el oso.
As far as I understand, you don't want to play with the bear anymore.
Restricting the interpretation of the child's behavior.
Que yo sepa, el chupete está en la cuna.
As far as I know, the pacifier is in the crib.
Stating a fact while leaving room for being wrong.
Por lo que puedo ver, te gusta mucho el puré de manzana.
As far as I can see, you really like the applesauce.
Affirming a child's preference based on observation.