A2.29 - At the real estate agent

The condicional simple

El condicional simple

El condicional simple se usa para expresar deseos, hipótesis o recomendaciones.

(The simple conditional is used to express wishes, hypotheses, or recommendations.)

What the Spanish simple conditional expresses (condicional simple)

Use the condicional simple to talk about what you would do (not what you will do).

  • Hypothesis: what you would do in a situation
  • Wish / preference: what sounds ideal
  • Recommendation / polite proposal: professional, less direct tone
Meaning English Spanish
hypothesis I would rent near the metro. Alquilaría cerca del metro.
polite suggestion I would recommend signing today. Recomendaría firmar hoy.
soft preference We would prefer a quiet area. Preferiríamos una zona tranquila.

How to form it fast (infinitive + endings)

The good news: it’s very regular.

  • Take the full infinitive: alquilar, vender, vivir
  • Add: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían
Person Ending Example
yo -ía alquilaría
tú -ías firmarías
nosotros/as -íamos buscaríamos
ellos/as -ían reformarían

What to pay attention to (common mistakes)

  • Keep the whole infinitive: vendería (not “vendría” unless you mean to come).
  • Accents matter: the ending always has an accent on í.

Spelling check (very common in writing):

  • Correct: alquilaría
  • Wrong: alquilaria (missing accent)

Conditional with “si”: the pattern you’re aiming for

In this unit you often combine the conditional with a realistic condition in the present.

Structure Spanish example Meaning
condicional + si + present ¿Firmarías hoy si el piso está en buen estado? Would you sign today if the flat is in good condition?
si + present + future Si firmas el contrato, te mudarás pronto. If you sign, you will move soon.
  • After si (in these “real” conditions), Spanish uses present, not future.
  • Choose conditional when you mean “it depends / I’m considering it”, not a firm plan.

Self-check: do I need future or conditional here?

  1. Is it a plan/decision? → use future: alquilaré, firmaré.
  2. Is it a hypothetical choice or negotiation? → use conditional: alquilaría, firmaría.
  3. Is it advice in a professional tone? → conditional often sounds best: recomendaría, pediría.

Mini test (answer in your head):

  • In a meeting, you say: “I would lower the price.” → Bajaría el precio.
  • You are sure: “Tomorrow I will sign.” → Firmaré mañana.
  1. It is formed with the infinitive + -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían.
 Alquilar (Rent)Vender (Sell)Vivir
YoAlquilaría (I would rent)Vendería (I would sell)Viviría (I would live)
TúAlquilarías (You would rent)Venderías (would)Vivirías (You would live)
Él / ellaAlquilaría (He/She would rent)Vendería (would)Viviría (He/She would live)
Nosotros/asAlquilaríamos (We would rent)Venderíamos (would)Viviríamos (We would live)
Vosotros/asAlquilaríais (You (plural) would rent)Venderíais (would)Viviríais (You (plural) would live)
Ellos/asAlquilarían (They would rent)Venderían (would)Vivirían (They would live)

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

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1. Yo ______ un piso amueblado cerca del metro para ir al trabajo sin coche.

I ______ a furnished apartment near the subway to go to work without a car.

2. ¿Tú ______ el contrato de alquiler hoy si el piso está en buen estado?

Would you ______ the rental contract today if the apartment is in good condition?

3. Nosotros ______ un piso de estudiantes en un barrio tranquilo, pero no muy lejos del centro.

We ______ a student apartment in a quiet neighborhood, but not too far from downtown.

4. Ellos ______ el dormitorio de invitados si compraran el chalé.

They ______ the guest bedroom if they bought the chalet.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rewrite the sentences in the simple conditional (infinitive + -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían) to express a wish, a hypothesis or a recommendation.

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  1. Yo (alquilar) un piso cerca del trabajo si encuentro algo barato.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Yo alquilaría un piso cerca del trabajo si encuentro algo barato.
    (I would rent an apartment near work if I find something cheap.)
  2. ¿Tú (comprar) este sofá o prefieres otro?
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    ¿Tú comprarías este sofá o prefieres otro?
    (Would you buy this sofa, or would you rather have another one?)
  3. Mi jefe (recomendar) hacer una pausa a media mañana.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Mi jefe recomendaría hacer una pausa a media mañana.
    (My boss would recommend taking a break in the middle of the morning.)
  4. Nosotros (cambiar) de ciudad si nos ofrecen un buen trabajo.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Nosotros cambiaríamos de ciudad si nos ofrecen un buen trabajo.
    (We would move to another city if they offer us a good job.)

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