What if...?

Question

Hi, I'm just wondering...

How do you say "what if" in Spanish? I can't find "what if" in the phrase book, or in any previous answers. I know they must be there somewhere.

I have "Qué si", and "Qué tal si"

And here comes a lot of questions...

Are they both right, do I need the accent on the "qué", and are there other ways to say this?

One more thing... am I doing this right?

¿Qué si no quiero esa camisa? = What if I don't want that shirt?(I really don't want that shirt, so what if I don't?)

¿Qué tal si supiera la respuesta correcta? = What if I knew the right answer?(I don't know, but what if I did?)

¿Qué tal si te hubieras casado con otra mujer? = What if you had married another woman? (You didn't marry another woman, but what if you did?)

Thanks everybody, I really appreciate all of your help and answers. I would really like any tips. I'm taking notes, that's for sure. lol

¡Muchísimas gracias a todos! - GuitarWarrior, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 1

¿Y si no quiero esa camisa?

¿Y si supiera la respuesta correcta?

¿Y si te hubieras casado con otra mujer?

I guess it is a short for "¿Y [qué pasaría] si....?"

Great! Thanks Lazarus :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 2

This website seems to say "Qué tal si..."

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Oh, and then we have this website. It's Yahoo Answers, so I don't know the reliability of those answers, though

It says...

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On this forum, someone translated a Coldplay song called 'What If', and they used "Qué tal si".

I've been there before, Were you reading my mind?! lol :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

Jajaja - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 3

I agree with Sonrisa, however there are times when "que, si..." is used, but in a very different context and with "Y" before "qué."

Example: You buy a new guitar for yourself, you really love it, and your friend says he doesn´t like it and you become a little offended by the remark. You respond in an irritated manner "And so what, if I am the one who bought it? Not you!" "¿Y qué, si quién la compró soy yo? ¡No tú!"

Very interesting, Chivi. jeje. :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 4

Que tal si =It means, propound to put forward for consideration.

Yes, because what follows is what you are considering that can/would happen in the future/present, or would happen in the past, right? - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

Thank you :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 5

Que tal, si...

would make more sence to me then:

Que tal si.

¿Y qué tal, si yo quiero chocolate?

would be understood as, "and what about if i wanted chocoate" (insted of whatever flavor is being offered)

So I would probably go with Qué tal, si - finish the sentence.

or as someone else said

qué pasa si...

Yay, more answers! Nice to see you again toothpastechica ;) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

I like "qué pasa si" as well :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

i translate for work, so i consider taking breaks to try and answer or help answer others questions "career development"...(or at least a good distraction) :-) - toothpastechica, Jul 27, 2011

Jajaja... Nice, chica. Thank you for your help :-) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 6

I have heard:

• ¿Y si ...? ==> And if ...?
• ¿Y qué si ...? ==> So what if ...? [Emphasis on the what. Not "So... what if"]
• ¿Qué pasa si ...? ==> What happens if...?

¿Qué tal si ...? is a new one for me.

... and "Y si" is new for me. :) - GuitarWarrior, Jul 27, 2011