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Subordinating Conjunctions in Spanish: porque, que, cuando, aunque, and Others
Subordinating conjunctions in Spanish are essential for connecting clauses, providing reasons, expressing conditions, and indicating time. These conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses, which depend on the main clause to complete their meaning. Understanding their usage will significantly improve your fluency in Spanish.
List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions and Their Uses
Below is a list of the most commonly used subordinating conjunctions in Spanish along with their meanings and examples:
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example 1 | Example 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| porque | because | No salรญ porque llovรญa. (I didn’t go out because it was raining.) | Estudio mucho porque quiero aprobar. (I study a lot because I want to pass.) |
| que | that | Me dijo que vendrรญa. (He told me that he would come.) | Creo que es una buena idea. (I think that it is a good idea.) |
| cuando | when | Te llamarรฉ cuando llegue. (I will call you when I arrive.) | Cuando era niรฑo, jugaba mucho. (When I was a child, I played a lot.) |
| aunque | although/even though | Aunque estรก lloviendo, saldrรฉ. (Even though it is raining, I will go out.) | Lo harรฉ aunque no tenga ganas. (I will do it even if I donโt feel like it.) |
| si | if | Si estudias, aprobarรกs. (If you study, you will pass.) | Irรฉ si tengo tiempo. (I will go if I have time.) |
| como | as/since | Lo hice como me dijiste. (I did it as you told me.) | Como hace frรญo, me pondrรฉ un abrigo. (Since it is cold, I will wear a coat.) |
| porque | because | No fui porque estaba enfermo. (I didn’t go because I was sick.) | Lo hicimos porque era necesario. (We did it because it was necessary.) |
| mientras | while/as long as | Puedes quedarte mientras quieras. (You can stay as long as you want.) | Mientras yo cocino, tรบ pones la mesa. (While I cook, you set the table.) |
| para que | so that | Te lo explico para que lo entiendas. (I explain it to you so that you understand.) | Trabajo duro para que mis hijos tengan una mejor vida. (I work hard so that my children have a better life.) |
| hasta que | until | No saldrรกs hasta que termines la tarea. (You will not go out until you finish your homework.) | Esperarรฉ hasta que llegues. (I will wait until you arrive.) |
More Example Sentences
- No me gusta que llegues tarde. (I donโt like that you arrive late.)
- Como no tenรญa dinero, no comprรฉ nada. (Since I had no money, I didnโt buy anything.)
- Siempre me llama cuando necesita ayuda. (He always calls me when he needs help.)
- Aunque hace frรญo, no llevo abrigo. (Although it is cold, I am not wearing a coat.)
- Si tienes hambre, come algo. (If you are hungry, eat something.)
- Se quedรณ hasta que terminรณ la pelรญcula. (He stayed until the movie ended.)
- Te hablo despacio para que me entiendas. (I speak slowly so that you understand me.)
- Mientras yo limpio, tรบ organizas la mesa. (While I clean, you organize the table.)
- Me gusta que me ayudes. (I like that you help me.)
- No salgas hasta que te llame. (Do not go out until I call you.)
Fill in the Blanks
- No saldrรฉ ______ termine mi tarea.
- Te lo explico ______ lo entiendas.
- ______ estudies, no aprenderรกs.
- Me dijo ______ vendrรญa.
- Saldrรฉ ______ haga calor o frรญo.
- Esperarรฉ ______ llegues.
- ______ no vengas temprano, perderemos el tren.
- No me gusta ______ me hables asรญ.
- Comerรฉ ______ tenga hambre.
- Salimos temprano ______ no habรญa trรกfico.
Answers
- hasta que
- para que
- Si no
- que
- aunque
- hasta que
- Si
- que
- cuando
- porque
Things to Keep in Mind
- Word Order: In Spanish, subordinating conjunctions typically introduce the subordinate clause, which follows the main clause.
- Verb Tense: Some conjunctions require the use of the subjunctive mood, especially when expressing uncertainty, purpose, or conditions (e.g., “para que” requires the subjunctive: “para que me entiendas”).
- Gender and Plurality: Conjunctions themselves do not change based on gender or plurality, but the words around them do. Make sure the verbs and adjectives agree with the subject.
- Use of Articles: Articles (el, la, los, las) do not affect subordinating conjunctions, but they must agree with the nouns they accompany.
- Common Mistakes: Beginners often confuse “porque” (because) with “por que” (for which) and “por quรฉ” (why). Understanding their differences is crucial.
Conclusion
Mastering subordinating conjunctions in Spanish is essential for fluency, as they help create complex and meaningful sentences. Whether expressing reasons, conditions, or time, these conjunctions enhance communication and improve sentence structure. By practicing with real-life examples and exercises, you can become more confident in using them correctly. Keep practicing and incorporating these into daily conversations to strengthen your command of Spanish!
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Happy learning! ๐
๐ Continue Learning Spanish
| Conjunctions in Spanish |
| Coordinating Conjunctions in Spanish: y, o, pero, sino, and Others |
| Subordinating Conjunctions in Spanish: porque, que, cuando, aunque, and Others |
Vikas Kumar is a dedicated language educator, content creator, and digital entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of My Language Classes and The Curious Mind. With a strong focus on helping learners achieve fluency in English, Spanish, and Japanese, he has guided audiences worldwide through a diverse range of resources, including in-depth blog articles, engaging YouTube tutorials, and comprehensive Books.
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