sea
/sea/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "be it" can be expressed as sea.
The term sea is used in fixed expressions such as así sea or que así sea to convey the meaning "so be it" or "let it be so". Additionally, the phrase sea cual sea is a common way to say "be it" or "whatever it may be".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form sea is the present subjunctive of the verb ser (to be), used here to express a wish, a command or an impersonal condition. If the subject you are referring to is plural, you must change the form to sean. For example, you would use sean las que sean to mean "be they whatever they may be".
How do you pronounce it?
/sea/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase que así sea is often used as a secular equivalent to 'Amen' when concluding a prayer or a deep wish.
- If you are responding to a suggestion with 'let it be so' in a very dramatic or poetic way, you might say Hágase instead of sea, which literally means 'let it be done'.
- The use of sea in sea como sea can sometimes sound dismissive in Spanish, similar to saying 'whatever' in English when someone is being difficult.
Examples in context
- Si así debe ser, así sea.If it must be that way, so be it.This sentence shows how to use sea to express "so be it" in a conditional context.Tatoeba #611123 by Leono, translation #611119 by kebukebu
- Si eso es lo que se necesita, que así sea.If that's what it takes, so be it.This sentence uses sea to express "so be it" when something is required.Tatoeba #9694260 by manufrutos, translation #9694190 by DJ_Saidez
- Así sea.So be it.This sentence is a short, direct way to say "so be it" using sea.Tatoeba #1248446 by Shishir, translation #703846 by Luornu
- Sea cual sea el resultado, debemos estar preparados.Be it [whatever] the outcome, we must be prepared.
- Fuera lo que fuera, necesitaríamos un plan de acción.Be it [whatever] the case, we would need an action plan.
- Sin importar cuál sea el resultado, debemos seguir adelante.Be it [whatever] the result, we must move forward.
- Sea lo que sea, no me importa.Be it [whatever], I don't care.
- Sea como sea, llegaremos al destino.Be it [whatever], we will reach our destination.
- Pase lo que pase, estaremos juntos.Be it [whatever happens], we will be together.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A formal meeting about potential budget adjustments.
- SofíaDebemos considerar cualquier cambio, sea cual sea el costo.We must consider any change, be it whatever the cost.
- AlejandroEntiendo, la estabilidad es nuestra prioridad.I understand, stability is our priority.
- SofíaSea cual sea el riesgo, debemos estar preparados.Whatever the risk may be, we must be prepared.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Sofía, actuaremos con cautela.You are right, Sofía, we will act with caution.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
