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Learn how to make suggestions in Spanish
In Spanish we can use the following structures when we want to make a suggestion:
Have a look at the following examples:
Hace mucho calor hoy. ¿Por qué no vamos a la piscina un rato?It's very hot today. Why don't we go to the swimming pool for a bit?
¿Por qué no habláis con Gerardo? Él siempre da buenos consejos.Why don't you talk to Gerardo? He always gives good advice.
Pareces muy cansado. ¿Por qué no duermes una siesta?You look very tired. Why don't you take a nap?
¿Y si hacemos una paella este domingo e invitamos a la pandilla?What about making a paella this Sunday and inviting the gang?
¿Y si pides el dinero a tus padres?What about asking your parents for the money?
¿Y si no hacemos caso a papá?What about not doing what dad says?
¿Qué tal si nos escapamos tú y yo?What about you and me running away?
¿Qué tal si le compras un ramo de flores bonito?What about buying her a nice bouquet?
Notice how in all the above structures the verb is conjugated in El Presente. This is a strict rule for "por qué no..." - it does not admit any other tense. Bear in mind though that, although slightly less common, you may sometimes find El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo with "y si (no)..." and "qué tal si (no)...":
¿Y si no hiciéramos caso a papá?What about not doing what dad says?
¿Qué tal si no hiciéramos caso a papá?What about not doing what dad says?
See also:
- Using the present tense in Spanish for making suggestions
- Using poder to say could [do something] for polite requests and suggestions in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
- Using the conditional in Spanish to express hypothesis/wish/suggestion in the present or future
- Using deber to say should in Spanish
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