Spanish · B2 · Family moment
Your Signals Lead the Way in Spanish
This guide focuses on empowering parents to recognize and respect a baby's signals—such as looks, sounds, and gestures—using complex sentence structures that compare different actions involving different people.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of 'en lugar de que' with the subjunctive mood.
- Correctively use different subjects in alternative-action clauses.
- Learn vocabulary related to baby gestures and interaction cues.
Spanish phrases for your signals lead the way
En lugar de que yo elija un libro, tú puedes señalar uno.
Instead of me choosing a book, you can point to one.
Uses 'elija' (subjunctive) because the subjects 'yo' and 'tú' are different.
En lugar de que todos hablen a la vez, puedes hacer tu ruidito y te escucharemos.
Instead of everyone talking at once, you can make your little sound and we'll listen.
'Ruidito' is a common diminutive for a baby's small sounds.
En lugar de que tú te estires para alcanzar tu peluche, te lo acercaré.
Instead of you stretching for your teddy, I'll bring it closer.
Reflexive 'estirarse' is used for the physical action of stretching.
En lugar de que la abuela adivine, puedes mostrárselo con la mano.
Instead of Grandma guessing, you can show her with your hand.
'Adivine' is the present subjunctive of 'adivinar' (to guess).
En lugar de que yo pase la página ya mismo, puedes mirar un poco más.
Instead of me turning the page already, you can look a little longer.
'Pasar la página' is the standard way to say 'turn the page'.
En lugar de que tú sostengas la taza a solas, te la sujetaré por debajo.
Instead of you holding the cup alone, I'll support it underneath.
'Sostengas' (subjunctive) shows the hypothetical alternative action.
En lugar de que todos se amontonen a tu alrededor, me sentaré en silencio a tu lado.
Instead of everyone crowding around you, I'll sit quietly beside you.
'Amontonarse' implies gathering in a tight group or crowding.
En lugar de que yo haga otro sonido de animal, puedes tener tu turno.
Instead of me making another animal sound, you can have a little turn.
'Haga' is the irregular subjunctive form of 'hacer'.
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
señalar
to point / to signal
Essential for discussing a baby's early communication.
a la vez
at once / at the same time
Synonymous with 'al mismo tiempo'.
acercar
to bring closer / to move near
A useful verb for moving objects toward a baby.
sujetar
to hold / to support
Often used for physical stabilization.
Alternative-Action Clauses with Different Subjects
When comparing two actions where the subjects are different (e.g., 'I' vs. 'You'), Spanish uses the construction 'en lugar de que' or 'en vez de que' followed by the Subjunctive. This differs from same-subject sentences where you would simply use 'en lugar de' + Infinitive.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | En lugar de que + [Subject A] + [Subjunctive Verb], [Subject B] + [Verb]. | En lugar de que tú llores, yo te ayudo. |
| Different Subjects | Requires 'que' + Subjunctive. | En lugar de que él coma, ella come. |
| Same Subject | Requires Infinitive (no 'que'). | En lugar de comer, prefiero dormir. |
More examples
En lugar de que mamá cante, tú puedes tararear.
Instead of Mom singing, you can hum.
Targeting different subjects: Mom and You.
En lugar de que yo abra la caja, inténtalo tú.
Instead of me opening the box, you try it.
Imperative 'inténtalo' combined with the subjunctive 'abra'.
En lugar de que la televisión esté encendida, escucharemos la radio.
Instead of the TV being on, we will listen to the radio.
'Esté' is the subjunctive form of 'estar'.