How to Say "It Would" in Spanish

sería

/seɾia/from spelling rules

The English phrase "it would" is translated into Spanish as sería.

sería is a phrase used to describe a hypothetical situation or a possible result in the future.

How do you pronounce it?

/seɾia/

While sería expresses a possibility, Spanish speakers often use it to soften a critique, making a direct statement like 'this is wrong' sound less aggressive by saying 'it would be better if'.
In certain Latin American dialects, sería is used to create a 'future of the past'. This describes events that were expected to occur at a certain point in the past but ultimately failed to happen.
If you use sería to describe a person's character, you are describing who they are, whereas using the verb estar with a similar conditional structure would describe how they are acting temporarily.

Sabía que sería duro.
I knew it would be hard.
This sentence is useful for expressing a past realization about a future difficulty with sería.
Tatoeba #5638656 by arh, translation #5636637 by CK
Sería mejor no beberlo.
It would be better not to drink that.
This sentence is useful for giving advice using sería.
Tatoeba #6823744 by arh, translation #6823671 by CK
Era claro que sería así.
It was obvious that it would be this way.
This sentence is useful for describing an obvious future outcome with sería.
Tatoeba #2839112 by marcelostockle, translation #2897260 by megamanenm
Si yo tuviera más tiempo, trabajaría en ese proyecto.
If I had more time, I would work on that project.
Esperaba que él viniera a la fiesta. Haría cualquier cosa por verlo.
I hoped he would come to the party. I would do anything to see him.
Si te pagara, lo harías.
If I paid you, you would do it.
Si ganara la lotería, compraría una casa en la playa.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a house by the beach.
Si ella me dijera la verdad, la perdonaría.
If she told me the truth, I would forgive her.
112 more sentences on Tatoeba

Javier and Elena are discussing a potential job offer in a different city.

Javier

Si me mudo, sería un gran cambio.
If I move, it would be a big change.
Elena

Sí, pero sería una gran oportunidad para ti.
Yes, but it would be a great opportunity for you.
Javier

¿Crees que sería difícil adaptarme?
Do you think it would be difficult to adapt?
Elena

No, yo creo que sería fácil.
No, I think it would be easy.

Sources

IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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