Phrase · 🎩 Polite requests and permission
¿Te importa si abro la ventana?
Do you mind if I open the window?
B1asking for permissioninformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
¿Te1object pronounto you2nd sing. · indirect objectimporta1verbdoes it matterimportar · present · 3rd sing.si2conjunctionifabro2verbI openabrir · present · 1st sing.ladeterminertheel · fem. · sing. · definiteventananounwindowfem. · sing.?
- Te → importa: te → indirect object
- si → abro: si + present
- la → ventana: f. sg.
Word for word: “Does it matter to you if I open the window?”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1importar works like gustar: te importa = does it bother you. Verbs like gustar II: doler, parecer, quedar, importar, molestar, faltar →
- 2si + present indicative: si abro, never a subjunctive or future. Real conditions: si + present →
Variations
- ¿Le importa si abro la ventana?
- ¿Puedo abrir la ventana?