Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
Who Gets a Little Wave? in Spanish
This guide focuses on using free relative clauses in Spanish to make general observations about daily routines and people's actions. While the English source uses 'Whoever', Spanish employs 'Quien' or 'El que' to create general rules or descriptions relevant to a child's environment.
What you'll learn
- Formulate general statements about people using 'Quien' as a free relative pronoun.
- Understand how to connect a condition with a specific consequence or action in natural Spanish.
- Practice vocabulary related to caregiving and daily baby routines.
Spanish phrases for who gets a little wave?
Quien tiene hambre recibe algo de comer, y ahora es tu turno.
Whoever is hungry gets something to eat, and now it's your turn.
'Quien' acts as 'Whoever'. In Spanish, the indicative is used for a general fact.
Quien necesite un abrazo puede acercarse a mí.
Whoever needs a cuddle can come close to me.
Subjunctive 'necesite' is used here because we are referring to an unspecified person who might need one.
Quien te cambia el pañal se lava las manos después.
Whoever changes your nappy washes their hands afterwards.
Uses the reflexive 'se lava' for 'washes their hands'.
Quien empuja tu carrito puede ver tus lindos piecitos.
Whoever pushes your stroller gets to see your happy little feet.
'Piecitos' is a sweet diminutive for feet, perfect for talking to babies.
Quien te lea este libro tiene que hacer un sonido de pato divertido.
Whoever reads you this book has to make a funny duck sound.
Subjunctive 'lea' implies a general instruction for any future reader.
Quien escucha tu balbuceo quiere escuchar un poco más.
Whoever hears your little babble wants to listen a bit longer.
'Balbuceo' is the specific word for baby babbling.
Quien se sienta cansado puede descansar; no tienes que quedarte despierto por mí.
Whoever feels tired can take a rest; you don't have to stay awake for me.
Reflexive 'se sienta' (from sentirse) describes the state of feeling tired.
Quien te dé un baño revisa el agua primero.
Whoever gives you a bath checks the water first.
'Revisar' is the standard verb for 'to check' or 'to inspect'.
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
Quien
Whoever / The one who
Used at the start of a sentence to define a person by their actions.
Pañal
Nappy / Diaper
A core vocabulary word for parents.
Carrito
Stroller / Pram
Diminutive of 'carro', used commonly for baby carriages.
Balbuceo
Babble
Refers specifically to the sounds babies make before they talk.
Free Relative Clauses with 'Quien'
In Spanish, the English 'Whoever...' is typically expressed using 'Quien' or 'El que'. If the person is hypothetical or you are setting a rule, use the Subjunctive. If describing a known habit, use the Indicative.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| General Rule (Subjunctive) | Quien + [Subjunctive Verb]... | Quien quiera pan, que lo diga. |
| Descriptive (Indicative) | Quien + [Indicative Verb]... | Quien estudia, aprende. |
More examples
Quien termine de jugar debe guardar los juguetes.
Whoever finishes playing must put the toys away.
A common household rule structure.
Quien tenga sueño puede ir a la cama.
Whoever is sleepy can go to bed.
Uses 'tener sueño' for 'to be sleepy'.