yo fuera tú
/ʝo fweɾa tu/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I were you" is translated into Spanish as yo fuera tú.
This phrase is used to offer advice by imagining oneself in another person's situation.
Which one should you use?
While yo fuera tú translates to "I were you", it is grammatically incomplete when used to express the English idiom "If I were you" unless you add the conjunction si (if). Both si yo fuese tú and si yo fuera tú are equally common and correct.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the phrase for "if I were you" almost always begins with the conjunction si.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʝo fweɾa tu/
Did you know?
- The word fuera is actually a linguistic traveler. It evolved from the Latin verb 'ire', which means 'to go', even though it is used here as a form of 'to be'.
- In Spanish, giving advice using yo fuera tú is often seen as more polite or softer than using the direct imperative mood.
- The word fuera in this phrase is a form of the verb 'to be' and is separate from the common Spanish word fuera meaning 'outside'.
Examples in context
- Si yo fuera tú.If I were you.This sentence shows how to use the phrase yo fuera tú within a conditional clause.Tatoeba #754014 by Shishir, translation #10121564 by DJ_Saidez
- Si yo fuera tú no lo haría.I wouldn't do that if I were you.This sentence demonstrates giving advice by using yo fuera tú.Tatoeba #874341 by Shishir, translation #30835 by CK
- Si yo fuera tú no dormiría.If I were you, I wouldn't sleep.This sentence shows how to use yo fuera tú to suggest not doing something.Tatoeba #12367312 by Shishir, translation #12367326 by DJ_Saidez
- Si yo fuera usted, estudiaría más para el examen.If I were you, I would study more for the exam.
- Si yo fuera usted, invertiría en esa empresa.If I were you, I would invest in that company.
- Si yo fuera tú, iría de vacaciones a la playa.If I were you, I would go on vacation to the beach.
- Si yo fuera tú, no haría eso.If I were you, I wouldn't do that.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a job offer.
- SofíaSi yo fuera tú, aceptaría ese trabajo.If I were you, I would accept that job.
- Javier¿De verdad lo crees, Sofía?Do you really think so, Sofía?
- SofíaSí, es una gran oportunidad para ti.Yes, it is a great opportunity for you.
- JavierTienes razón, lo voy a intentar.You are right, I am going to try it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fuera, tú, yo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
