Using que + the present subjunctive in Spanish to to express a wish/command

Learn how to express a wish or command with "que" and El Presente de Subjuntivo

There is a specific structure in Spanish used to express:

• a command
• a wish for something to happen

We use this formula in different contexts:

To express a wish to someone directly

As you can see, you can direct this wish to:

• tú (you informal singular) e.g. seas
• vosotros (you informal plural) e.g. ganéis
• usted (you formal singular) e.g pase
• ustedes (you formal plural) e.g. disfruten

All of them use El Presente de Subjuntivo. Although the idea of "wish" is not explicitly stated in the sentence, this is conveyed in the structure. It is as if we say: "Quiero que... / Espero que...".

To insist on a previously unsuccessful command

When you have asked someone to do something but your request is ignored, this structure can be used to reinforce the command. This is very commonly used by parents to get the children do something (after having said it a few times!)

To make an indirect/soft command through a third party

When a command is made through a third party, referring to someone else, we use this same structure. The verb is conjugated in the third person singular or plural. This is considered a softer command compared to a direct command using the imperative.

The person who ultimately is the recipient of the command will be named if it is clear who the speaker is referring to (e.g. el cliente) or go unnamed if the speaker is referring to a more general subject (e.g. que me reserven = someone, whoever, in the hotel, for example.)

For other formulas used to express commands see also:

• Using preposition a + infinitive to express a command in Spanish
• Using the infinitive to express a request/command/give instructions in Spanish