que así sea
/ke asi sea/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'so be it' is translated into Spanish as que así sea.
The phrase is used to express resignation to a decision or to express a strong wish that something happens as stated.
Meaning: indication of acceptance (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, que así sea translates to 'may it be so'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the phrase ni modo is used informally to convey a similar meaning to so be it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present subjunctive of the verb ser (to be) to express a desire or a resigned acceptance of a situation.
Did you know?
- In a religious context, que así sea is the functional equivalent of 'Amen', which itself means 'so be it' in Hebrew.
- The word que in this phrase actually traces back to the Latin word 'quid', meaning 'what', despite acting like the English 'that'.
- While que así sea is used for acceptance, the phrase ni modo is often accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders to signal that a situation is completely out of one's control.
Examples in context
- Si eso es lo que se necesita, que así sea.If that's what it takes, so be it.This sentence shows how to use que así sea when expressing that a certain condition must be met.Tatoeba #9694260 by manufrutos, translation #9694190 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Que así sea!So be it!This sentence shows how to use que así sea as an exclamation.Tatoeba #4932217 by cueyayotl, translation #873107 by sacredceltic
- Así sea.So be it.
- Ni modo, así seráSo be it or that's how it will be
- Si la decisión ya está tomada, que así sea.If the decision has already been made, so be it.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a difficult change at work.
- MateoTendremos que cambiar todo el sistema de archivos.We will have to change the entire filing system.
- LucíaEs mucho trabajo, pero si es necesario, que así sea.It is a lot of work, but if it is necessary, so be it.
- MateoGracias por entenderlo, Lucía.Thank you for understanding, Lucía.
- LucíaNo hay de qué, Mateo.You're welcome, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries así, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
