se + Present
Real Conditions with Se
Se means if. For a real or likely condition, the verb after se is in the present: Se chove, non saio (If it rains, I do not go out), Se tes tempo, chámame (If you have time, call me).
How It Works
Present + present: general truths and habits: Se fai bo tempo, imos á praia (If the weather is good, we go to the beach).
Present + future: one likely event: Se estudas, aprobarás (If you study, you will pass). See the simple future.
Present + command: Se tes fame, come algo (If you are hungry, eat something). See affirmative commands.
Spelling: if is se. The word si means yes.
Pronouns go before the verb: after se, an object pronoun comes before its verb: Se me esperas, vou contigo (If you wait for me, I will go with you). See pronouns in subordinate clauses.
Se meaning whether: after verbs such as saber and preguntar, se means whether and can take the future: Non sei se virá (I do not know whether she will come). See indirect questions.
Unlikely conditions: for an imagined situation, se takes the past subjunctive instead; see hypothetical conditions.
Examples (6)
- Se chove, non saio.
If it rains, I do not go out.
Word by Word: If rains, not go-out-I.
- Se tes tempo, chámame.
If you have time, call me.
Word by Word: If have-you time, call-me.
The result is a command.
- Se fai bo tempo, imos á praia.
If the weather is good, we go to the beach.
Word by Word: If makes good weather, go-we to-the beach.
- Se estudas, aprobarás.
If you study, you will pass.
Word by Word: If study-you, pass-will-you.
The result is in the future.
- Se non che gusta, déixao.
If you don't like it, leave it.
Word by Word: If not to-you pleases, leave-it.
After se, the pronoun che goes before the verb.
- Se me esperas, vou contigo.
If you wait for me, I will go with you.
Word by Word: If me wait-you, go-I with-you.
Common Mistakes
Writing si for if.
Si chove, non saio.Se chove, non saio.In Galician, se means if and si means yes.
Using the future after se.
Se choverá, non saio.Se chove, non saio.In an if clause, use the present for a real or likely condition.
Putting the pronoun after the verb in a se clause.
Se chámasme, vou.Se me chamas, vou.Se starts a subordinate clause, so the unstressed pronoun goes before the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Real se conditions normally use the present for the condition.
Related Patterns
- candoWhen: Cando
Cando + present also describes habits.
Level 2 - se + Imperfect SubjunctiveHypothetical Conditions
Conditions that are unlikely or imagined.
Level 4 - Affirmative Commands
Commands used in the result clause.
Level 2 - Pronouns Before the Verb in Subordinate Clauses
Why pronouns go before the verb after se.
Level 3 - Indirect Questions
Se meaning whether.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice se + Present in Bubblegum
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