Language/Catalan/Grammar/Subjunctive-mood
As a Catalan language teacher with 20 years of experience, I've found that the subjunctive mood can be a challenging topic for students to grasp. However, it is essential to learn this aspect of Catalan grammar as it is frequently used in conversation, writing, and even in literature. In this lesson, you will learn when to use the subjunctive mood of verbs, its different conjugations, and common irregulars.
When to use the subjunctive mood
In Catalan, the subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, uncertainty, possibility, or desire. It can also be used in some subordinate clauses, such as after conjunctions like "que" or "si," to express a subordinate fact or action.
Here are some examples:
- "Espero que ella pugui venir" (I hope she can come).
- "Si tingues temps, podríem anar al cinema" (If you have time, we could go to the cinema).
- "És important que ho facis bé" (It's important that you do it well).
Note that in the above examples, the subjunctive mood is used in the subordinate clause; however, the main clause is in the indicative mood, expressing a fact or action.
Conjugating the subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood is formed by taking the third person plural (ells/elles) of the present tense, dropping the "-n" ending, and adding the appropriate endings. There are four different endings, depending on the verb group:
- Verbs that end in "-ar"
| Catalan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| parli | [pərˈɫi] | speak (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| parlis | [pərˈɫis] | speak (2nd person singular) |
| parli | [pərˈɫi] | speak (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| parlem | [pərˈɫem] | speak (1st person plural) |
| parleu | [pərˈɫew] | speak (2nd person plural) |
| parlin | [pərˈɫin] | speak (3rd person plural) |
- Verbs that end in "-er" or "-re"
| Catalan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| temi | [təˈmi] | fear (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| temis | [təˈmis] | fear (2nd person singular) |
| temi | [təˈmi] | fear (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| temem | [təˈmem] | fear (1st person plural) |
| temeu | [təˈmew] | fear (2nd person plural) |
| temin | [təˈmin] | fear (3rd person plural) |
- Verbs that end in "-ir" and have an alternate root in the present tense (a vowel change in the root)
| Catalan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| senti | [sənˈti] | feel (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| sentis | [sənˈtis] | feel (2nd person singular) |
| senti | [sənˈti] | feel (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| sentim | [sənˈtim] | feel (1st person plural) |
| sentiu | [sənˈtiw] | feel (2nd person plural) |
| sentin | [sənˈtin] | feel (3rd person plural) |
- Verbs with irregular stems
| Catalan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sigui | [siˈɣwi] | be (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| siguis | [siˈɣwis] | be (2nd person singular) |
| sigui | [siˈɣwi] | be (1st and 3rd person singular) |
| siguem | [siˈɣwem] | be (1st person plural) |
| seguau | [siˈɣwaw] | be (2nd person plural) |
| siguin | [siˈɣwin] | be (3rd person plural) |
Note that some verbs have an irregular stem in the subjunctive; however, some of these irregularities follow a pattern. It is essential to study these irregular verbs to become familiar with them.
Using the subjunctive mood with conjunctions
One of the most common cases where the subjunctive mood is used in Catalan is after conjunctions. Here are some of the most common conjunctions that trigger the use of the subjunctive:
- Que: used to express wishes, doubts, or requests. For example: "Vull que els meus fills siguin feliços" (I want my children to be happy).
- Si: used to express hypotheses. For example: "Si fos ric, viatjaria per tot el món" (If I were rich, I would travel around the world).
- Com si: used to express hypothetical actions. For example: "Ho va fer com si no sabés res" (He did it as if he didn't know anything).
- Tot i que: used to express concession or opposition. For example: "Tot i que plou, sortiré a córrer" (Even though it's raining, I will go running).
- Abans que: used to express priority. For example: "Cal fer els deures abans que puguis jugar" (You must do your homework before you can play).
- Mentres que: used to express simultaneous actions. For example: "Estudiaré mentres que tu cuinis el sopar" (I will study while you cook dinner).
It is important to remember that the subjunctive mood is not always required after conjunctions. In some cases, the indicative mood can be used instead, depending on the context and meaning of the sentence.
Common irregular verbs
As mentioned earlier, some verbs have an irregular stem in the subjunctive mood. Here are some of the most common ones to watch out for:
- Anar: vagi, vagis, vagi, anem, aneu, vagen (to go)
- Dir: digui, diguis, digui, diguem, dieguis, diguin (to say)
- Fer: faci, facis, faci, fem, feu, facin (to do, to make)
- Haver: hagi, hagis, hagi, hàgim, hàgiu, hagin (to have)
- Ser: sigui, siguis, sigui, siguem, seguau, siguin (to be)
It is essential to practice and memorize these irregular verbs to become comfortable using the subjunctive mood in conversation and writing.
I hope this lesson has provided a useful introduction to the subjunctive mood in Catalan. With practice and patience, you will soon be able to use this grammatical aspect with ease and confidence. Don't forget to check out the other lessons in the "Complete 0 to A1 Catalan Course" to advance your skills further.
Related Lessons
- How to Use Have
- Cardinal Numbers in Catalan
- Introduction to pronouns
- Negation
- Locative Case in Catalan
- How to say "there is" in Catalan
- How to use "can" in Catalan
- Reflexive verbs
- Give your Opinion