The start of a new year is the perfect time to dream big and set goals, and what better way to do it than in Spanish? Whether you’re learning the language or just looking for a fun twist on your resolutions, the future conditional tense (el condicional simple) is the perfect tool to help you express what you would do in the year ahead. Let’s break it down and build your resolutions list, step by step!
What Is the Future Conditional?
The future conditional tense in Spanish is all about expressing hypothetical situations, possibilities, or what would, could or should happen under certain conditions. It’s like the dreamer’s tense—ideal for brainstorming your New Year’s resolutions without locking yourself into anything (because let’s face it, sometimes goals change by February).
Here’s how to form it:
- Start with the infinitive of a verb (e.g., viajar, comer, hacer).
- Add these endings: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían.
For example:
| Yo estudiaría más español. | (‘I would study more Spanish.’) | |||
| Tú viajarías a España. | (‘You would travel to Spain.’) |
But watch out for irregular verbs! For example:
| Hacer becomes haría | (‘I would do/make’) | |||
| Tener becomes tendría | (‘I would have’) |
Create Your Resolutions List in Spanish
Ready to make your list? Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Yo aprendería a cocinar comida mexicana.
Translation: “I would learn to cook Mexican food.” - Yo haría más ejercicio.
Translation: “I would exercise more.” - Yo viajaría a América Latina.
Translation: “I would travel to Latin America.”
Want to add a little flair? Combine the future conditional with conditions:
- Yo viajaría a España si tuviera suficiente dinero. (‘I would travel to Spain if I had enough money.’)
- Yo comería más saludable si aprendiera a cocinar mejor. (‘I would eat healthier if I learned to cook better.’)
By using the future conditional, you’re not only practicing Spanish but also exploring possibilities for your best year yet. Try writing your own resolutions list, and let your goals come to life in a new language!
¿Qué resolverías este año? Share your resolutions in the comments below. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
