The Spanish Conditional
The conditional corresponds to “would” in English. It is used for polite requests, advice, wishes, and imagined situations. The stems are the same as the future, and the endings are the same as the imperfect of -er/-ir verbs, so if you know those, you are almost done.
Quick answer
- Add the endings to the infinitive: hablaría, comerías, viviría
- Endings: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -ían
- Same irregular stems as the future: tendría, haría, podría, diría
How to form it
Keep the whole infinitive and add -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -ían.
| Person | hablar | comer | vivir |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hablaría | comería | viviría |
| tú | hablarías | comerías | vivirías |
| él, ella, usted | hablaría | comería | viviría |
| nosotros | hablaríamos | comeríamos | viviríamos |
| ellos, ustedes | hablarían | comerían | vivirían |
Examples
- Yo hablaría con ella.I would talk with her.Hablar.
- ¿Comerías conmigo?Would you eat with me?Comer.
- Viviríamos en la playa.We would live on the beach.Vivir.
Irregular stems
The irregular stems are the same as in the future: tendr-, har-, podr-, dir-, sabr-, vendr-, saldr-, pondr-, querr-.
Examples
- ¿Podrías ayudarme?Could you help me?Poder.
- Me gustaría un café.I would like a coffee.Gustar.
- Tendría más tiempo si no trabajara.I would have more time if I did not work.Tener.
- ¿Qué harías en mi lugar?What would you do in my place?Hacer.
Polite requests and advice
Use the conditional to soften requests: ¿Podría decirme la hora?. For advice, use yo que tú, yo en tu lugar, or deberías.
Examples
- ¿Podría decirme dónde está el baño?Could you tell me where the bathroom is?Polite.
- Yo que tú, hablaría con él.If I were you, I would talk to him.Advice.
- Deberías descansar más.You should rest more.Advice.
Hypotheticals and the future in the past
Use the conditional with a past-tense verb to report a future plan: Dijo que vendría (He said he would come). It also expresses probability in the past: Serían las diez (It was probably ten).
Examples
- Dijo que llegaría a las ocho.He said he would arrive at eight.Future in the past.
- Serían las diez cuando salió.It was probably ten when he left.Probability in the past.
- Me encantaría viajar a Perú.I would love to travel to Peru.Wish.
Spanish around the world
- In some regions, people use the imperfect (podía) or the imperfect subjunctive (pudiera) in place of the conditional in polite requests. All are understood.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Yo hablaría con ella ayer.
Correct: Yo habría hablado con ella ayer.
For a past hypothetical, use the conditional perfect.
Incorrect: Yo tenderia más tiempo.
Correct: Yo tendría más tiempo.
Tener has the stem tendr-.
Incorrect: Me gusto un café.
Correct: Me gustaría un café.
Use the conditional gustaría.
Incorrect: Si tendría dinero, viajaría.
Correct: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
After si, use the imperfect subjunctive, not the conditional.
Remember the pattern
- Infinitive + ía, ías, ía, íamos, ían.
- Same irregular stems as the future.
- Never use the conditional right after si.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the conditional the same as ‘would’?
Often, but not always. English “would” for habits (“we would play”) is the imperfect in Spanish.
What is the difference between podría and pudiera?
Both mean could. Podría is the conditional; pudiera is the imperfect subjunctive.
How do I say ‘I would like’?
Me gustaría or quisiera.
What are the irregular stems?
The same as the future: tendr-, har-, podr-, dir-, sabr-, vendr-, saldr-, pondr-, querr-.
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Keep learning
The Spanish Future Tense
Hablaré, comerás, vivirá. Learn the simple future, its irregular stems, and its uses.
B2Spanish If-Clauses
Si tengo, si tuviera, si hubiera tenido. Learn the three types of conditions.
A1Polite Phrases in Spanish
Por favor, gracias, de nada, perdón, con permiso, and lo siento: what each one means and when to use it.