How To Give Suggestions and Advice in Spanish
Giving advice in Spanish is almost a national sport. Especially in Latin American countries, people seem to care more about your life than you might be used to.
If you travel, let’s say to Mexico, you’ll surely meet strangers on your way who will tell you what you should do, see, and eat. They’ll give you all kinds of helpful recommendations and suggestions.
If you want to learn how to recognize the phrase “you should” in Spanish, respond to friendly suggestions, and give yourself advice in the Spanish language, keep reading.
In this blog post, you’ll solve the mystery of would, could, and should in Spanish and learn plenty of useful ready-to-go phrases and expressions.
‘Should’ in Spanish
“Should” in the Spanish language can be translated in various ways, depending on what you want to say. The expression you’ll use depends on whether you want to make a recommendation or suggestion, or just give some advice.
Let’s look at situations you might find yourself in and see how to say “should” in Spanish in each one of them.
Recommendations and Advice in Spanish
No matter what your level is, you can learn how to give good advice in Spanish.
I divided this part into four sections. The first two are easy enough for beginner Spanish learners, and the third and fourth are more appropriate for intermediate students.
1. Commands as Advice
This is the easiest way to give advice in Spanish if you already know the imperative mood. Imperative sentences can express advice (rather than a demand), if you say it with an appropriate tone of voice.
Estudia español, te ayudará a viajar.
Study Spanish; it will help you travel.
No comas ahí, es caro.
Do not eat there, it’s expensive.
Ve caminando, no necesitas llevar tu carro.
Go on foot, you don’t need to take your car.
If you want to refresh your knowledge on the imperative mode, check out How to Form the Imperative Mood in Spanish.
2. Expressing Obligation
Once again, with an appropriate tone of voice, you can express an obligation in the form of advice in Spanish. Two easy constructions express obligation and are perfect for giving advice:
- tener que + infinitive
- deber + infinitive
They both translate as “ought to” or “should.”
Tienes que cuidarte un poco más.
You have to take care of yourself a little more.
Deberías probar los tacos de la esquina.
You should try the tacos at the corner.
No tienes que hacerle caso.
You don’t have to listen to him.
No deberías viajar sola.
You shouldn’t travel alone.
Easy, isn’t it?
3. Advice in Spanish with Subjunctive
There is a group of verbs to use to give advice in Spanish, but they require you to know how to use the subjunctive because of a lack of certainty that the other person will do what you’re advising them to do.
Remember, with verbs of advice in Spanish, add que and a verb in the subjunctive mood. Some most common verbs to give advice in Spanish are:
- aconsejar – to advise
- proponer – to suggest
- sugerir – to propose
- recomendar – to recommend
Te aconsejo que pruebes esta limonada.
I advise you to try this lemonade.
Te propongo que vayas ahí en verano y lo veas con tus propios ojos.
I suggest you go there in the summer and see it with your own eyes.
Te sugiero que no lleves tanto efectivo contigo.
I suggest you not carry so much cash with you.
Te recomiendo que pruebes este plato.
I recommend that you try this dish.
4. Impersonal Statements To Give Advice in Spanish
Another way to indirectly give advice in Spanish if you’ve already mastered the subjunctive mood is through impersonal statements.
Es importante que conozcas Mérida.
It is important that you get to know Mérida.
Es necesario que te prepares bien antes de viajar.
It is necessary that you prepare yourself well before traveling.
Sería bueno, si pudieras leer algo antes sobre tu destino.
It would be good if you could first read something about your destination.
Me gustaría que conocieras mi tierra natal.
I would like you to get to know my homeland.
How To Ask for Advice in Spanish
It’s also important to learn how to ask for advice in Spanish. Here are a few common, easy expressions.
¿Qué puedo hacer?
What can I do?
¿Puedes darme algún consejo?
Can you give me some advice?
¿Qué me aconseja?
What do you advise me to do?
Suggestions in Spanish
Making suggestions is slightly different from giving advice, as it can also be directed to the speaker themselves.
While you can use a suggesting verb (sugerir + que) and the subjunctive mood, there are easier ways to suggest.
1. First Person Singular or Plural Verb
¿Voy contigo?
Shall I go with you?
¿Vamos juntos?
Shall we go together?
2. Vamos a with Infinitive Verb
¡Vamos a comer!
Let’s eat.
3. Why not?
¿Por qué no pruebas esto?
Why don’t you try this?
¿Por qué no vamos a viajar?
Why don’t we travel?
4. Ask ¿te apetece? Or ¿te gustaría? And Add an Infinitive Verb
¿Te apetece visitar Panamá?
How about visiting Panama?
¿Te gustaría viajar ahí?
Would you like to travel there?
How To Respond to Suggestions in Spanish
Here are some simple ways of responding to a suggestion in Spanish.
Sí, me encantaría.
Yes, I’d love to.
¡Qué buena idea!
What a good idea!
¡Claro que sí!
Yes, of course!
¡Excelente idea!
Excellent idea!
Tal vez en otro momento.
Maybe another time.
Ahora mismo no.
Not right now.
Gracias, pero no.
Thanks but no.
Prefiero que no.
I’d prefer not to.
No me apetece.
I don’t feel like it.
‘Should’ in Spanish – Practice Time
That’s lots of theoretical knowledge about “should” in Spanish, so
¡Deberías empezar a practicar!
You should start practicing!
Learning the phrases from this lesson will help you sound more natural in conversations. And learning Spanish will bring countless benefits to your life. You’ll not only enjoy all the perks of knowing another language but also invest in your life in the future. Plus, studying a foreign language challenges your brain and helps you to keep cognitive skills in older age!
Don’t wait any longer! Sign up today for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Let our friendly and professional teachers from Guatemala help you reach your fluency goals and practice giving suggestions and advice in Spanish in a 1-to-1 conversation! Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs!
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