"Que" = "to be?"

D. A.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

"Que" = "to be?"

2nd paragraph: Is there a lesson that discusses "que" used to mean "to be?"

I searched on "que" and got 1620 hits, so I scanned the first 60 and did not see "que" and "to be" in any lesson title.

Asked 1 year ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola William

I imagine you are referring to this bit saying:

...parece que hay una nota en la mesa

...there seems to be a note on the table

This is literally saying "it seems that there is a note on the table", but as the more natural way to say it in English is by using the infinitive "there seems to be..." we used that translation. 

There are many cases when there is a "que" meaning "that..." that gets a slightly different translation in English. This is one of the cases. 

Another similar case and you may be more familiar with this is for example:

Quiero que seas feliz

I want you to be happy.

This is how this is expressed in English, rather than the literal "I want that you are happy".

I hope it clarifies it.

Saludos

D. A. asked:View original

"Que" = "to be?"

2nd paragraph: Is there a lesson that discusses "que" used to mean "to be?"

I searched on "que" and got 1620 hits, so I scanned the first 60 and did not see "que" and "to be" in any lesson title.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
I'll be right with you...