Spanish grammar
Irregular subjunctives: ser, ir, estar, saber, dar, haber
Use six irregular subjunctive forms: sea, esté, vaya, sepa, dé, haya.
From the scene Que sepan, que vayan, que estén (Know, go, be: six irregulars)
In short
Learn six irregular subjunctives by heart: sea, vaya, esté, sepa, dé, haya. Use them after que or ojalá.
Your turn
Which one goes with I hope they go straight there?
Options: quiero que estén tranquilos · espero que vayan directos · quiero que sepan
Show answer
I hope they go straight there → espero que vayan directos
How it works
A handful of very common verbs do not follow the regular pattern in the subjunctive — you just learn them.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Quiero que mis padres (blank) que son bienvenidos.
Options: saben · saber · sepan
Show answer
Quiero que mis padres sepan que son bienvenidos.
I want my parents to know they are welcome.
Good to know
Ser → sea, ir → vaya, estar → esté, saber → sepa, dar → dé, haber → haya. They follow que or ojalá exactly like regular verbs do.
I want my parents to know quiero que sepan
I hope they go straight there espero que vayan directos
Javi
Espero que vayan directos al hotel.
I hope they go straight to the hotel.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) al hotel.
Options: Quiero que estén tranquilos · Espero que vayan directos · Quiero que sepan
Show answer
Javi
Espero que vayan directos al hotel.
I hope they go straight to the hotel.
I want them to be calm quiero que estén tranquilos
Javi
Ojalá no. Solo quiero que estén tranquilos y felices.
I hope not. I just want them to be calm and happy.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ojalá no. Solo (blank) y felices.
Options: espero que vayan directos · quiero que estén tranquilos · quiero que sepan
Show answer
Javi
Ojalá no. Solo quiero que estén tranquilos y felices.
I hope not. I just want them to be calm and happy.
to ask Ramón to give us permission pedirle que nos dé permiso
Your turn
What goes with pedirle que nos dé permiso?
Options: I hope they go straight there · to ask Ramón to give us permission · I want my parents to know
Show answer
pedirle que nos dé permiso → to ask Ramón to give us permission
I hope there isn't a problem espero que no haya problema
Common mistake
Not da or dar here. Ramón = he.
Ahora falta pedirle a Ramón que nos dé permiso para el cartel de bienvenida.
Now I just need to ask Ramón to give us permission for the welcome sign.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I want my parents to know | quiero que sepan |
|---|---|
| I hope they go straight there | espero que vayan directos |
| I want them to be calm | quiero que estén tranquilos |
| to ask Ramón to give us permission | pedirle que nos dé permiso |
| I hope there isn't a problem | espero que no haya problema |
More lines from the story
- JaviQuiero que mis padres sepan que son bienvenidos.I want my parents to know they are welcome.
- JaviAhora falta pedirle a Ramón que nos dé permiso para el cartel de bienvenida.Now I just need to ask Ramón to give us permission for the welcome sign.
- NuriaEspero que no haya ningún problema con eso.I hope there isn't any problem with that.
- NuriaOjalá esta vez sea diferente. Llévale churros, por si acaso.Let's hope this time it's different. Take him churros, just in case.