The Spanish subjunctive mood is used to convey a personal attitude toward an action. This modo (mood) allows a speaker to indicate doubt, denial, or judgement about a future or hypothetical scenario. The subjunctive follows set rules and phrases in Spanish, with a different set of endings from the indicative mood.
Learning the subjunctive in Spanish is easy when you study the phrases and situations that require it. It’s so common in everyday conversation that you’ll notice the forms right away. Some learners avoid the subjunctive, but with these tips and a little practice you’ll take your Spanish to a more sophisticated level.
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What tenses can I use in the subjunctive mood?
There are four subjunctive tenses in Spanish that you’ll see in everyday situations. If you learn the first two, the present and the imperfect subjunctive, you’ll only need to learn the auxiliary verb haber in the subjunctive mood for the other two compound tenses.
Keep in mind that the tiempos verbales (Spanish verb tenses) tell the timeframe (past, present, or future), whereas the modo (mood) conveys the attitude of the speaker, whether it’s the indicative mood (facts, certainty), subjunctive (doubtful, uncertain, or with a value judgement), or imperative mood (command).
| Spanish Subjunctive Tense | Use | Example |
| el presente de subjuntivo (present subjunctive) | Present or future actions after phrases that trigger the subjunctive mood | Es importante que mires… (it’s important that you look at…) |
| el imperfecto de subjuntivo (imperfect subjunctive) | Past actions and hypothetical situations after phrases that trigger the subjunctive mood | Ella te dijo que mirara… (she told you to look at…) |
| el pretérito perfecto compuesto de subjuntivo (present perfect subjunctive) | What “has happened” in the subjunctive mood | Dudo que él haya mirado… (I doubt he has looked at) |
| el pretérito pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo (pluperfect subjunctive) | What “had happened” in the subjunctive mood | Dudo que él hubiera mirado (I doubt that he had looked at) |
When to use the subjunctive mood
The subjunctive in Spanish is used for wishes, requests, emotional judgements of the action, and casting doubt or denial. There are also many set expressions which will require the subjunctive.
Seeing examples of the subjunctive mood in everyday contexts is one of the best ways to get the overall feel of this mood and know when to use the subjunctive in Spanish. Another helpful tool is the acronym WEIRDO, which helps to summarize answers to the question “What is the subjunctive in Spanish?”
Wishes:
- Quiero que hables español. = I want you to speak Spanish.
Emotions:
- Lamento que tengan que irse. = I’m sorry that they have to leave.
Impersonal Expressions:
- Es importante que termines la tarea ahora. = It’s important that you finish the task now.
Recommendations:
- Recomiendo que lleves un paraguas. = I recommend that you bring an umbrella.
Doubts/Denials:
- Dudo que tenga suficiente comida para la cena. = I doubt that I have enough food for dinner.
Ojalá (Hopefully/God willing/I wish):
- Ojalá no llueva mañana. = Hopefully it doesn’t rain tomorrow.
Wishes, desires, preferences, and requests
You can use the subjunctive to express something you would like to happen or even something you would like someone to do. Sometimes a subjunctive Spanish phrase expresses a general desire or wish you might have.
A key feature is the change of subject. When one person quiere que (wants) another to take action, there’s no guarantee they will. This uncertainty is a common feature of the subjunctive mood.
- Él quiere que los franceses ganen el partido. = He wants the French to win the game.
- Tu hermana llamó por teléfono. Quiere que la llames a las cuatro. = Your sister called. She wants you to call her at 4.
- ¡Quiero que esté en las tiendas para el final de este año! = I want it to be in stores by the end of this year!
The expression ojalá also triggers the subjunctive. It’s equivalent to “hopefully,” “God willing,” or “may it be that…”
- Ojalá que llueva pronto. = May it rain soon.
Expressions that trigger the subjunctive
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
| desear que | to desire that |
| esperar que | to hope that |
| exigir que | to demand that |
| insistir que | to insist that |
| pedir que | to ask that |
| preferir que | to prefer that |
Necessity or recommendations
Necessity is closely linked to wishes or desires, since you can express the need for someone else to do something. Just because you express this need doesn’t mean it will happen, which is how you end up with the uncertainty of the subjunctive in Spanish.
- Le recomiendo que visite las ruinas. Aquí tiene un folleto. = I recommend that you visit the ruins. Here’s a brochure.
- Es importante que nos diga la verdad. = It’s important that you tell us the truth.
- Los hombres hablan diferentes idiomas, así que necesitan que la mujer sea su traductora. = The men speak different languages, so they need the woman to be their translator.
- Es necesario que tomes este curso para graduar. = It’s necessary that you take this course in order to graduate.
Expressions that trigger the subjunctive
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
| aconsejar que | to advise that |
| necesitar que | to need that |
| recomendar que | to recommend that |
| sugerir que | to suggest that |
Emotions and judgment
The subjunctive is used with certain key phrases that may include the speaker’s emotional judgment of the situation. The speaker’s reaction may be positive or negative. These feelings do not simply state a fact, but show how the speaker feels about the action.
- Es una lástima que tú te vayas tan temprano. = It’s a shame that you are leaving so early.
- ¡Estoy contento de que usted traduzca porque yo no hablo ruso ni japonés! = I’m happy that you’re translating, because I don’t speak Russian or Japanese.
Expressions that trigger the subjunctive
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
| es bueno que | It’s good that |
| es extraño que | It’s strange that |
| es maravilloso que | It’s wonderful that |
| es una pena que | it’s a shame that |
| es útil que | it’s useful that |
| estar (contento/feliz/triste, etc) de que | to be (happy/sad, etc) that |
Denial, doubt, and uncertainty
Doubt is often a feature of the subjunctive mood. If the speaker indicates doubt, disbelief, uncertainty, or denial, the subjunctive is correct.
- Dudo que me quede. Creo que es muy grande. = I doubt it will fit. I think it’s very big.
- Dudo que tengas fiebre. Tienes que ir a la escuela. = I doubt that you have a fever. You have to go to school.
- No creo que llueva hoy. = I don’t believe it will rain today.
- Ella duda que Sergio llegue a tiempo. = She doubts that Sergio will arrive on time.
- Es posible que venga mañana. = It’s possible that he will come tomorrow.
Expressions that trigger the subjunctive
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
| es poco probable que | it’s not very possible that |
| negar que | to deny that |
| no creer que | to not believe that |
| no es cierto que | it’s not true that |
| no estar seguro que | to not be sure that |
| no parecer que | to not appear that |
| no pensar que | to not think that |
| tal vez/quizás/puede que | maybe/perhaps |
Time expressions and purposes in the future
In discussions of future events, the present subjunctive gives it a more uncertain or incomplete quality. Though the Spanish future tense indicative forms are also very common, certain expressions trigger the subjunctive mood.
- Antes de que podamos encontrarnos, tengo que pasar por la aduana mexicana. = Before we can meet, I have to go through customs.
- Se fracturó la pierna, así que debe caminar con muletas hasta que se cure. = She broke her leg, so she has to walk with crutches until it heals.
Expressions that trigger the subjunctive
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
| a fin de que | so that |
| antes de que | before |
| cuando | when |
| en cuanto | as soon as |
| hasta que | until |
| para que | so that |
| sin que | without |
| tan pronto como | as soon as |
El presente de subjuntivo (the present subjunctive)
The present subjunctive is typically called for if the main tense is present or future. Rules dictating sequence of tenses generally require the present subjunctive when the action or idea in the subjunctive clause takes place at the same time or after the action in the main clause.
- Me sorprende que no tengas un pasaporte. = I’m surprised that you don’t have a passport. (same time)
- Espero que vengas. = I hope you will come. (after)
Forming el presente de subjuntivo (the present subjunctive)
It’s easy to conjugate the present subjunctive in Spanish because forming this tense involves a predictable pattern.
- Start with the present tense indicative yo form of the verb. (This includes any stem changes or irregular forms that are included in the Spanish present tense indicative).
- Change the “o” ending to the following endings:
Regular Present Subjunctive Endings
| Spanish Subject Pronoun | -AR Verb Endings | -ER and -IR Verb Endings |
| yo I | -e | -a |
| tú you (informal) | -es | -as |
| él/ella he/she usted you (formal) | -e | -a |
| nosotros we | -emos | -amos |
| vosotros you all (informal, Spain) | -éis | -áis |
| ellos/ellas they ustedes you all | -en | -an |
It’s helpful to know some irregular verbs in the present subjunctive as well, as they are quite common.
| Spanish Subject Pronoun | ser (to be) | estar (to be) | ir (to go) | dar (to give) |
| yo I | sea | esté | vaya | dé |
| tú you (informal) | seas | estés | vayas | des |
| él/ella he/she usted you (formal) | sea | esté | vaya | dé |
| nosotros we | seamos | estemos | vayamos | demos |
| vosotros you all (informal, Spain) | seáis | estéis | vayáis | déis |
| ellos/ellas they ustedes you all | sean | estén | vayan | den |
El imperfecto de subjuntivo (the imperfect subjunctive)
The imperfect subjunctive in Spanish is used in the same situations as the present subjunctive, when the sequence of tenses requires it. For example, you’ll maintain the past subjunctive in Spanish when your main clause is in a past tense, like the imperfect tense indicative.
When to use the imperfect subjunctive
The mnemonic “WEIRDO” can help remind you to use the imperfect subjunctive tense as well.
Wishes:
- Quería que hablaras español. = I wanted you to speak Spanish.
Emotions:
- Lamentaba que tuvieran que irse. = I was sorry that they had to leave.
Impersonal Expressions:
- Era importante que terminaras la tarea. = It was important that you finish the task.
Recommendations:
- Recomendaba que llevaras un paraguas. = I recommended that you bring an umbrella.
Doubts/Denials:
- Dudaba que tuviera suficiente comida para la cena. = I doubted that I had enough food for dinner.
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations
Another use of the imperfect subjunctive is for imaginary, hypothetical, or contrary-to-fact situations. Practicing “if I were” scenarios is a fun and engaging way to practice this tense. The second part of your sentence will be in the Spanish conditional tense.
- No soy jugador de béisbol… = I’m not a baseball player…
- …pero si fuera jugador de béisbol, jugaría para los Tigres. = …but if I were, I would play for the Tigers.
- Si tuviera más café, lo bebería. = If I had more coffee, I would drink it.
Some fun sentence starters using the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish:
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
| si estuviera | if I were (location) |
| si fuera | if I were (identity/description) |
| si pudiera | if I could/were able to |
| si supiera | if I knew/if I knew how to |
| si tuviera | if I had |
| si viviera en | if I lived in |
Forming the imperfecto de subjuntivo
Forming the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish follows a predictable pattern, but there are two perfectly acceptable sets of endings.
- Start with the preterite tense indicative ellos/ellas/ustedes form of the verb. (This includes any stem changes or irregular forms that are included in the Spanish present tense indicative).
- Change the “-ron” ending to one of the imperfect subjunctive endings.
Regular Present Subjunctive Spanish Endings
| Spanish Subject Pronoun | Option 1 Imperfect Subjunctive Verb Endings | Option 2 Imperfect Subjunctive Verb Endins |
| yo I | -ra | -se |
| tú you (informal) | -ras | -ses |
| él/ella he/she usted you (formal) | -ra | -se |
| nosotros we | -ramos | -semos (add an accent to vowel that precedes this) |
| vosotros you all (informal, Spain) | -rais | -seis |
| ellos/ellas they ustedes you all | -ran | -sen |
There aren’t any separate irregular verbs to learn if you know the correct stems from the preterite tense indicative.
The perfect tenses in the subjunctive
The perfect tenses are compound tenses, meaning they use an auxiliary verb and a past participle. There are two times you would use haber as an auxiliary verb in its subjunctive form.
The trigger phrases, or “when to use” the subjunctive in Spanish perfect tenses are the same as in the present and imperfect simple tenses as explained above.
- Es una pena que haya llovido durante tu partido. = It’s a shame that it has rained during your game.
- Era una pena que hubiera llovido tanto. = It was a shame that it had rained so much.
| Spanish Subject Pronoun | Present Subjunctive Haber | Imperfect Subjunctive Haber |
| yo I | haya | hubiera |
| tú you (informal) | hayas | hubieras |
| él/ella he/she usted you (formal) | haya | hubiera |
| nosotros we | hayamos | hubiéramos |
| vosotros you all (informal, Spain) | hayáis | hubierais |
| ellos/ellas they ustedes you all | hayan | hubieran |
Most of the past participles will be formed by replacing
- -AR with “-ado”
- -ER/-IR with “ido”
Some common irregular past participles include:
- ver (to see): visto
- decir (to say): dicho
- abrir (to open): abierto
When not to use the subjunctive in Spanish
Choosing between the indicative vs. subjunctive Spanish mood takes practice and patience, but it helps to look at contrasting examples.
Certainty vs. doubt
When verbs indicating uncertainty such as dudar (to doubt) or negar (to negate) are used in the negative form, the indicative mood is used.
- Ella no duda que Sergio llegará a tiempo. = She does not doubt that Sergio will arrive on time.
The negative form has no room for doubt, so it’s a certainty. Use the indicative mood.
Completed vs. future action
The phrase hasta que (until) only requires the subjunctive mood if the event hasn’t yet occurred. If it occurred in the past, it’s now firmly in reality, so use the indicative.
- Miró la película hasta que se durmió. = He watched the movie until he fell asleep.
No change of subject
Wishes and impersonal expressions that change subjects use the subjunctive, but if there is no change, use the Spanish infinitive of the verb instead.
- Quiero ir al estadio. = I want to go to the stadium.
- Es importante lavarse las manos antes de cocinar. = It’s important to wash your hands before cooking.
Key takeaways about the subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood is used throughout the Spanish language and is easy to learn once you know a few key features. Learning this mood is an important milestone for your Spanish grammar.
- It’s useful to express doubt and uncertainty, focusing on the way the speaker perceives the situation.
- Instead of a nuance of “just the facts,” a speaker can cast their own attitude or values on the action by using emotion/judgement phrases that trigger the subjunctive.
- Many trigger phrases require the next verb to be in the subjunctive mood. A lot of these will link the two clauses with que (that).
- A change of subject is often present after phrases of wishes, requests, and recommendations.
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