si
/si/
The Spanish word for 'if' is si.
si is a conjunction used to express a supposition or a condition, such as 'supposing that'. If you are referring to a theoretical condition as a noun, you might use terms like hipótesis or suposición.
Meaning: supposing that (conj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use si to express a hypothetical or unlikely condition in the present, it is followed by the imperfect subjunctive. For example, si tuviera means 'if I had'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /si/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to add an accent to the word when you mean 'if'. In Spanish, si without an accent is the conditional conjunction, whereas sí with an accent means the affirmative 'yes'.
Did you know?
- The word si shares a common ancestor with the Latin word si, meaning it has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years.
- In some poetic or archaic contexts, si can be used as an indirect question meaning 'whether', such as wondering si vendrá 'whether he will come'.
- Spanish speakers often use si in the phrase si no, which functions as 'otherwise' or 'unless'. This pairing is essential for navigating conditional warnings in daily conversation.
Examples in context
- Si yo fuera tú.If I were you.This sentence demonstrates the use of si in a conditional statement.Tatoeba #754014 by Shishir, translation #10121564 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Y si me niego?What if I refuse?This sentence shows how to use si to ask 'what if'.Tatoeba #2246937 by Shishir, translation #2235207 by Hybrid
- ¿Y si se rompe?What if it breaks?Tatoeba #7589400 by arh, translation #12247908 by Miktsoanit
- ¿Vendrás si te invito?Will you come if I invite you?
- Irán al cine si tienen tiempo.They will go to the cinema if they have time.
- Si estudias, aprobarás el examen.If you study, you will pass the exam.
- ¿En caso de que haya problemas, qué debemos hacer?In case there are any problems, what should we do?
- ¿En caso de que llegue tarde, me esperas?In case I arrive late, will you wait for me?
- En caso de que llueva, lleva un paraguas.In case it rains, take an umbrella.
- ¿Vienes si te invito?Are you coming if I invite you?
- ¿Si tienes tiempo, pasas por aquí?If you have time, will you come by?
- Si necesito ayuda, te llamo.If I need help, I'll call you.
- Si estudias, apruebas fácil.If you study, it's easy for you to pass.
- ¿En caso de problemas, qué hacemos?In case of any problems, what do we do?
- En caso de lluvia, lleva un paraguas.In case of rain, take an umbrella.
- 4506 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are planning a trip to the beach.
- JavierSi mañana hace buen tiempo, iremos a la playa.If the weather is good tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
- ElenaSi llueve, me quedaré en casa descansando.If it rains, I will stay at home resting.
- Javier¿Y si no tenemos coche?And if we don't have a car?
- ElenaSi es necesario, podemos tomar un taxi.If it is necessary, we can take a taxi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “if” translations and entries si, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries si, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
