why

Question

Hello, in "Puedes hacer lo que quieras, no me importa.", why is it quieras and not quieres ? I got that it's the subjunctive but I don't understand why. Thanks !

Answer

Is it because it's a wish ? Thanks.

Answer

Hola HansWe are using the subjunctive here because the speaker means "you can do whatever it is that you want to do. Either the speaker is having a dismissive attitude or he/she doesn't really know what the other person has in mind (to do). However, if had there been a previous conversation between the speakers about a specific thing that one of them wants to do, then the speaker would have probably used the indicative:"Puedes hacer lo que quieres." Here he is talking about that specific thing that is known to him/her. I hope this helps,SaludosInma