Spanish grammar · Advanced
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive: Conjugation and Use
The Spanish imperfect subjunctive expresses hypotheticals, polite requests, and past subjunctive triggers. Built from the 3rd plural preterite minus -ron + endings: -ra / -ras / -ra / -ramos / -rais / -ran (or -se variants). Pairs with conditional in si-clauses.
Si hablara español, viajaría.
If I spoke Spanish, I'd travel.
What it is
The Spanish imperfect subjunctive expresses hypotheticals (si tuviera dinero), polite requests (quisiera un café), and past subjunctive triggers (Me dijo que viniera). Built from the 3rd plural preterite stem minus -ron + endings: -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran (or the equally correct -se variant: -se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen).
Si hablara español, viajaría más (If I spoke Spanish, I'd travel more), classic hypothetical with imperfect subjunctive + conditional.
How to spot it
Look for verbs ending in -ra, -ras, -ramos, -ran (or -se forms). The base is always the 3rd plural preterite stem.
- Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. — If I had money, I'd travel.
- Quisiera un café. — I would like a coffee. (polite)
- Me dijo que viniera. — He told me to come.
The two endings (-ra and -se) are interchangeable in meaning. -ra is much more common in Latin America; -se survives more in Spain and formal writing.
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive Quick Reference
Imperfect subjunctive, built from 3rd plural preterite
| Verb | 3rd Pl. Preterite | Imperfect Subjunctive (yo, -ra form) |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | hablaron | hablara |
| comer | comieron | comiera |
| vivir | vivieron | viviera |
| ser/ir | fueron | fuera |
| tener | tuvieron | tuviera |
| hacer | hicieron | hiciera |
| decir | dijeron | dijera (NOT dijiera) |
| traer | trajeron | trajera |
Common Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive Examples in Spanish
Imperfect subjunctive in real Spanish contexts:
Hypotheticals (Si + Imp. Subj. + Conditional)
- Si tuviera tiempo, viajaría más.
- If I had time, I'd travel more.
- Si fuera tú, no lo haría.
- If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
- Si supiera la respuesta, te diría.
- If I knew the answer, I'd tell you.
Classic pattern: si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional. Describes contrary-to-fact or unlikely situations.
Polite Requests (Quisiera, Pudiera)
- Quisiera un café, por favor.
- I would like a coffee, please.
- ¿Pudieras ayudarme?
- Could you (possibly) help me?
- Quisiéramos hablar contigo.
- We would like to speak with you.
Quisiera and pudiera are softer / more formal than quiero or puedes. Standard in service contexts and polite requests.
Past Subjunctive Triggers
- Me dijo que viniera.
- He told me to come.
- Era importante que estudiaras.
- It was important that you study.
- Dudaban que ganaramos.
- They doubted we would win.
When a WEIRDO trigger is in past tense (preterite, imperfect, conditional), the dependent clause uses imperfect subjunctive.
Como Si (As If)
- Habla como si supiera.
- He talks as if he knew.
- Me trata como si fuera un niño.
- He treats me like a child.
Como si ALWAYS triggers imperfect subjunctive, regardless of the main clause tense.
How to Form and Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Form: 3rd Plural Preterite Stem + Endings
Take the 3rd plural preterite (hablaron, comieron, vivieron). Drop -ron. Add: -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran. Alternative ending: -se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen.
hablaron → habla- → hablara, hablaras, hablara, habláramos, hablarais, hablaran.
I spoke (subjunctive)...
If you can form the 3rd plural preterite, you can form the imperfect subjunctive. The nosotros form carries an accent on the last vowel of the stem (habláramos).
Two Endings: -Ra and -Se (Same Meaning)
Spanish imperfect subjunctive has two ending sets: -ra (more common) and -se (more formal / Spain). Both correct and interchangeable in meaning.
hablara / hablase. tuviera / tuviese. fuera / fuese.
I spoke / had / went (subjunctive).
Pick one and be consistent within a sentence. Most Latin American speakers default to -ra.
Si + Imperfect Subjunctive + Conditional
For hypothetical if-clauses, Spanish uses si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional. NEVER si + conditional.
Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. Si fuera más joven, lo haría.
If I had money, I'd travel. If I were younger, I'd do it.
Pattern: si + IMP SUBJ, COND. The result clause uses conditional; the if-clause uses imperfect subjunctive.
Past Triggers → Imperfect Subjunctive in Dependent Clause
When a WEIRDO trigger appears in past tense (preterite, imperfect, conditional), the dependent que-clause uses imperfect subjunctive.
Quería que vinieras. (wanted) Me pidió que ayudara. (asked)
I wanted you to come. He asked me to help.
Tense backshift: if the trigger is past, the subjunctive is past (imperfect subjunctive).
Common Mistakes with Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive
Incorrect: Si tendría dinero, viajaría. — If I had money, I'd travel.
Correct: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. — If I had money, I'd travel.
After si in hypotheticals, use imperfect subjunctive (tuviera), NOT conditional (tendría). The conditional belongs in the result clause only.
Incorrect: Ellos dijieran. (wrong stem) — They (subjunctive form of) said.
Correct: Ellos dijeran. — They (subjunctive form of) said.
J-stem verbs drop the i. Imperfect subjunctive of decir is dijera, dijeras, dijera, dijéramos, dijerais, dijeran, based on the 3rd plural preterite dijeron (no i).
Incorrect: Quiero que vinieras. — I want you to come.
Correct: Quería que vinieras. or Quiero que vengas. — I wanted you to come. / I want you to come.
Match tenses: present trigger (quiero) → present subjunctive (vengas). Past trigger (quería) → imperfect subjunctive (vinieras). Don't mix.
Si + Imperfect Subjunctive + Conditional
Hypothetical / Contrary-to-Fact
Pattern: Si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional. Describes unreal or unlikely situations.
- Si tuviera dinero, compraría una casa.
- If I had money, I'd buy a house.
- Si fuera tú, no lo haría.
- If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
Order can flip: Compraría una casa si tuviera dinero. Conditional stays in result clause regardless.
Como Si Always Triggers Imperfect Subjunctive
Como si (as if) ALWAYS takes imperfect subjunctive, regardless of the main clause's tense.
- Habla como si supiera todo.
- He talks as if he knew everything.
- Me mira como si fuera invisible.
- He looks at me as if I were invisible.
Como si describes a hypothetical or false comparison, always subjunctive.
Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive FAQs
- What is the Spanish imperfect subjunctive?
- The Spanish imperfect subjunctive expresses hypotheticals (Si tuviera...), polite requests (Quisiera...), and past subjunctive triggers (Me dijo que viniera). Built from the 3rd plural preterite stem + endings -ra (or -se).
- How do you form the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish?
- Take the 3rd plural preterite (hablaron, comieron, fueron). Drop -ron. Add -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran (or -se variants). Nosotros form carries an accent: habláramos, comiéramos.
- What's the difference between -ra and -se endings?
- Both endings are correct and interchangeable in meaning. -ra is more common in Latin American Spanish; -se survives more in Spain and formal writing. Pick one and stay consistent within a sentence.
- When do I use si + imperfect subjunctive?
- Use si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional for hypothetical if-clauses (contrary-to-fact or unlikely). Si tuviera dinero, viajaría = If I had money, I'd travel. Never si + conditional.
- How can I master the Spanish imperfect subjunctive?
- Practice the si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional pattern until automatic. Memorize quisiera and pudiera as polite forms. Native input through Parrot videos cements its use in hypotheticals and reported requests.