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The Spanish "como" sometimes means "if"
In Spanish, the conjunction "como" is used to introduce a clause that expresses a condition for the action in the main clause to be fulfilled. The conditional clause with como can be placed right at the beginning or after the main clause.
Here are some examples:
Note that como in conditional clauses only allows El Subjuntivo, not El Indicativo.
This would be incorrect:
"Te vas a arrepentir como no vienes ahora mismo."
When we use como in conditional clauses, the context is generally that of a warning, threat or prediction.
Here are more sentences:
Como no apruebes el examen, no te llevo a McDonalds.If you don't pass the exam, I won't take you to McDonalds. (a warning)
Careful:
You may find the conjunction como used with El Indicativo in subordinate clauses, but the meaning of the clause will be different. In this case, the clause will be introducing a cause, not a condition. For example:
"Como salí del trabajo tarde, no pude ir al cine con mi novia."
(Because/Since I left work late, I couldn't go to the cinema with my girlfriend.)
See also other types of conditional sentences:
Si [if] followed by present indicative + main clause (present tense/future tense)
Si [if] followed by present indicative + main clause [command/request/advice]
Con tal de que / Con tal de (subordinate purpose and conditional clause)
De + infinitive (subordinate conditional clause)
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