Phrase · 💭 Hypotheses in every register
Que te gusta, te lo quedas; que no, lo devuelves.
If you like it, keep it; if not, take it back.
C2alternative conditions (colloquial)colloquiales-ESAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Que1conjunctionif (that)teobject pronounto youtú · 2nd sing. · indirect objectgusta1verbit pleasesgustar · present · 3rd sing.,te2pronoun(yourself)tú · 2ndloobject pronounitél · 3rd sing. · direct objectquedas2verbyou keepquedar · present · 2nd sing.;que1conjunctionif (that)no1adverbnot,loobject pronounitél · 3rd sing. · direct objectdevuelves3verbyou take backdevolver · present · 2nd sing..
- Que → gusta: que + indicative: first alternative
- que → no: que no: second alternative
- te → quedas: te … quedas: quedarse
- lo → quedas: lo: the item
Word for word: “That it pleases you, you keep it; that not, you return it.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1que…, que no…: two alternative conditions with the indicative = if you like it…, if not… Colloquial, mainly Spain. The extended conditional system: de + infinitive, hubiera and colloquial patterns →
- 2quedarse algo = to keep something: te lo quedas = you keep it. Pronoun nuances: dative of interest, ello, sí / consigo, pronominal verbs →
- 3Present indicative as an instruction: lo devuelves = (then) you take it back. Present tense: stem-changing verbs (e → ie, o → ue, e → i, u → ue) →
Variations
- Si te gusta, te lo quedas; si no, lo devuelves.
- Que te convence, lo compras; que no, lo dejas.
- Si te gusta, quédatelo; si no, devuélvelo.