There are different ways to say "if I were you" in Spanish.
Learn how to say "if I were you" in Spanish
In Spanish, to express "if I were you" we normally use one of the following structures:
- Si yo fuera tú...
- Yo que tú...
- Yo de ti...
Si yo fuera tú translates literally as "if I were you". It uses the verb ser in El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo. The other two structures that do not include a verb are more idiomatic and are used in more colloquial contexts.
They all mean the same and are used in hypothetical sentences followed by a clause using El Condicional Simple or El Condicional Perfecto.
Here are some examples:
Si yo fuera tú lo habría dejado plantado en el altar.If I were you I'd have left him waiting at the altar.
Each construction is a set phrase, be careful not to mix them up. For example, yo que tú and yo de ti do not start with "si" (if):
- Si yo de ti no iría.
- Yo que ti no iría.
- Yo de tú no iría.
Bear in mind that this type of hypothetical sentence, also accepts El Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo (instead of El Condicional Perfecto). For example:
There are similar phrases with the same meaning that can also be used, for example:
- Si yo estuviera en tu lugar/en tu situación...
- Si dependiera de mí...
See also:
- Using the Spanish imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses introduced by si followed by the Spanish conditional simple
- Using the pluperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses (si) followed by the perfect conditional/ the pluperfect subjunctive
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
