Using "como si" in Spanish with indicative to express indifference

 

Learn how to use como si with the indicative in Spanish and its meaning

Como si can be followed by the subjunctive or the indicative. To learn how to use it with the subjunctive see:

We use como si with the indicative when the speaker expresses an indifference or lack of importance towards something. 

Lets see some examples in context:

  • Imagine someone says that Antonio is going to emigrate to France and another speaker wants to show indifference towards this fact. He/she could say:
Bueno, como si se va a Australia.Well, as far as I am concerned he could go to Australia (I don't really mind)
  • Imagine a man is telling his friend that he can't light a cigarette in a public place as there is a sign forbidding it. The friend replies:
Como si hay tres carteles. Yo fumo aquí porque quiero.Even if there were three signs...(who cares) I'm smoking here because I want to.
  •  Imagine your housemate says to you: "I'm so hungry! Do you mind if I eat all the leftover pizza?" The other friend says:
Como si te comes también el resto de la tarta. Yo no tengo nada de hambre.You may as well eat the rest of the cake. I'm not hungry at all.

This type of reaction from someone showing indifference towards something is very often preceded by "por mí...", to add emphasis with no extra meaning; i.e. the result is the same. For example:

Por mí como si te vas a vivir con tu amante. Yo ya no tengo ningún interés en ti.As far as I am concerned you can go and live with your lover. I'm not interested in you anymore.

- ¿Podemos usar los materiales que queramos, profe? - Por mí como si queréis usar lo que encontréis en el contenedor de reciclaje.- Can we use any materials that we want, miss? - You may as well use whatever you find in the recycling bin.

 

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Examples and resources

Bueno, como si se va a Australia.Well, as far as I am concerned he could go to Australia (I don't really mind)
Como si te comes también el resto de la tarta. Yo no tengo nada de hambre.You may as well eat the rest of the cake. I'm not hungry at all.
Como si hay tres carteles. Yo fumo aquí porque quiero.Even if there were three signs...(who cares) I'm smoking here because I want to.
- ¿Podemos usar los materiales que queramos, profe? - Por mí como si queréis usar lo que encontréis en el contenedor de reciclaje.- Can we use any materials that we want, miss? - You may as well use whatever you find in the recycling bin.
Por mí como si te vas a vivir con tu amante. Yo ya no tengo ningún interés en ti.As far as I am concerned you can go and live with your lover. I'm not interested in you anymore.
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