Subjunctive in Relative Clauses
A relative clause uses the subjunctive when the thing described is not known to exist: Busco un piso que teña terraza (I am looking for a flat that has a terrace).
How It Works
Known or not known?
The choice depends on the noun the clause describes, not on the verb itself.
- Known, real: indicative. Teño un piso que ten terraza (I have a flat that has a terrace).
- Wanted, not identified: subjunctive. Busco un piso que teña terraza (any flat with a terrace).
Typical contexts for the subjunctive
- Searching, needing, wanting: Necesito alguén que saiba cociñar.
- Denying existence: Non coñezo ninguén que fale xaponés.
- Asking whether it exists: Hai alguén aquí que saiba conducir?
- Future or undetermined people and things: Os que cheguen tarde non poderán entrar; Podes coller o libro que queiras.
Same verb, different meaning. Busco o piso que ten terraza (indicative) means you are looking for a particular flat you know about; Busco un piso que teña terraza (subjunctive) means any flat that fits the description.
Tense. Use the present subjunctive for present and future, and the past subjunctive after a past main verb: Buscaba un piso que tivese terraza. In legal texts you may also see the future subjunctive: quen quixer participar.
Examples (6)
- Busco un piso que teña terraza.
I am looking for a flat that has a terrace.
Word by Word: I-look-for a flat that may-have terrace.
Any flat with a terrace: it is not a particular known flat, so teña is subjunctive.
- Teño un piso que ten terraza.
I have a flat that has a terrace.
The flat is real and known, so ten is indicative.
- Non coñezo ninguén que fale xaponés.
I do not know anyone who speaks Japanese.
The clause describes someone who, as far as the speaker knows, does not exist.
- Hai alguén aquí que saiba conducir?
Is there anyone here who can drive?
The speaker does not know whether such a person exists.
- Os que cheguen tarde non poderán entrar.
Anyone who arrives late will not be able to get in.
The people are not yet known, so cheguen is subjunctive.
- Podes coller o libro que queiras.
You can take whichever book you like.
Any book at all: queiras is subjunctive.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative for someone who may not exist.
Busco alguén que sabe inglés.Busco alguén que saiba inglés.The person is not identified, so the relative clause takes the subjunctive.
Using the indicative after a denial of existence.
Non hai ninguén que o sabe.Non hai ninguén que o saiba.After non hai ninguén, the relative clause describes someone who does not exist, so it takes the subjunctive.
Using the future indicative for undetermined people.
Os que chegarán tarde non entrarán.Os que cheguen tarde non entrarán.A relative clause about future, undetermined people uses the present subjunctive (cheguen), not the future indicative (chegarán).
How It Connects
Learn This First
The subjunctive in a relative clause can indicate an unknown or not-yet-established referent.
Related Patterns
- sexa / estea / teñaIrregular Present Subjunctives
Irregular subjunctives such as teña and saiba that are common in relative clauses.
Level 3 - o que / a que / os queRelatives with the Article
Relatives with the article, such as os que cheguen tarde, often take the subjunctive.
Level 4 - Free Relatives: quen / o queFree Relatives: Quen and O Que
Free relatives such as quen queira also use the subjunctive for undetermined people.
Level 5 - The Future Subjunctive
The formal future subjunctive used in legal relative clauses: quen quixer participar.
Level 6
Practice Subjunctive in Relative Clauses in Bubblegum
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