Si + Present for Real Conditions in Spanish

Use si + present tense to talk about real, possible, or likely conditions.

• Si tengo tiempo, voy contigo. — If I have time, I’ll go with you.
• Si llueve, nos quedamos en casa. — If it rains, we stay home.
• Si quieres, te ayudo. — If you want, I’ll help you.

The basic pattern is:

si + present, present

At A2 level, this is the most useful conditional structure to learn first.

How to use si + present

Use si to introduce the condition.

• Si estoy cansado, me acuesto temprano. — If I am tired, I go to bed early.
• Si hace buen tiempo, comemos fuera. — If the weather is good, we eat outside.
• Si no entiendo algo, pregunto al profesor. — If I do not understand something, I ask the teacher.

The condition can come first or second.

• Si tengo hambre, como algo.
• Como algo si tengo hambre.

Both mean:

If I am hungry, I eat something.

Si + present for habits and general results

You can use this structure for things that regularly happen when a condition is true.

• Si bebo café por la noche, no duermo bien. — If I drink coffee at night, I do not sleep well.
• Si hace frío, llevo una chaqueta. — If it is cold, I wear a jacket.
• Si tengo clase temprano, desayuno antes. — If I have an early class, I eat breakfast beforehand.

Here, both verbs are in the present because the sentence describes a usual or real situation.

Si + present for future possibilities

Spanish can also use si + present when the result refers to the future.

• Si tengo tiempo mañana, voy contigo. — If I have time tomorrow, I’ll go with you.
• Si llueve esta tarde, no salimos. — If it rains this afternoon, we will not go out.
• Si termina temprano, viene a cenar. — If he finishes early, he will come for dinner.

Spanish does not need a future tense in the si clause.

• ✅ Si tengo tiempo…
• ❌ Si tendré tiempo…

For basic real conditions, use the present tense after si.

Si + present + ir a + infinitive

The result can also use ir a + infinitive when you want to make the future meaning clearer.

• Si hace buen tiempo, vamos a ir a la playa. — If the weather is good, we are going to go to the beach.
• Si tengo dinero, voy a comprar un ordenador nuevo. — If I have money, I am going to buy a new computer.
• Si terminas pronto, vamos a cenar juntos. — If you finish early, we are going to have dinner together.

The si clause still stays in the present tense.

Si + present + imperative

You can also use a command in the result clause.

• Si tienes alguna pregunta, dime. — If you have any questions, tell me.
• Si estás cansado, descansa. — If you are tired, rest.
• Si ves a Ana, llámame. — If you see Ana, call me.

This is very common in instructions and everyday conversation.

Si vs. sí

Do not confuse si and sí.

• si = if
• sí = yes

Compare:

• Si quieres, vamos. — If you want, let’s go.
• Sí, quiero ir. — Yes, I want to go.

The accent changes the meaning.

Common mistakes

Do not use the future tense after si

For real and possible conditions, use the present tense after si.

• ❌ Si tendré tiempo, voy contigo.
• ✅ Si tengo tiempo, voy contigo.

Si does not take an accent when it means “if”

• ❌ Sí tengo tiempo, voy contigo. when you mean “if”
• ✅ Si tengo tiempo, voy contigo.

Quick rule

For real or possible conditions, use:

si + present tense

• Si tengo tiempo, voy.
• Si llueve, nos quedamos en casa.
• Si quieres, te ayudo.

The result can use the present, ir a + infinitive, or a command, but the verb after si stays in the present tense.