What does the Spanish subjunctive tense translate to in English?

Answer 1

Subjunctive essentially translates to nothing in English.

Compare:

1. 1. I wish that I could swim a mile.
2. I wish that my child could swim a mile.

In #1, you are wishing for something for yourself, no one's actions are not affected by the wish (no subjunctive)

In #2, you are imposing your will on the actions or existence of another person (subjunctive)

So, if you are imposing your will, doubts, hopes, fears, recommendations, etc. on the existence or actions of another person or thing, you will be in the subjunctive.mood for that other person or thing.

(looking for a man (I saw) with a yellow hat on.) Yo buscaba a un hombre que llevaba un sombrero amarillo.¿Quién vio al hombre que llevaba el sombrero amarillo? .... no subjunctive as there is no doubt about the existence of the seen man.

I was looking for a doctor in the theater. Yo buscaba a un doctor en el teatro. No creo que haya un doctor aquí. (expressing doubt about the existence of the doctor in the theater. = subjunctive)

Creo que hay un doctor..... not subjunctive as it is a positive belief, no doubt involved

Past tense: For imaginative effect: If I had more money, I'd buy a new house. (subjunctive foll\owed by conditional) . Now it's not a battle of wills, but of reality.

Si tuviera más dinero, compraría una casa nueva.(past subjunctive, it's false because I don't have more $$.)

Answer 2

We use the same phrases in English that require subjunctive in Spanish, but we just don't conjugate the verbs any differently. Sometimes, in older forms of speaking English they used words that would indicate a similar uncertainty about the future. May and might are good examples of this, and these words are commonly found in prayers which are based off of older English.

Example:

"We pray that we might be given strength."

"Oramos para que nos des fortaleza."