When you know more than one language: subjunctive with cuando?

Question

I am trying to say "When you know more than one language, you have more opportunities in life" would this be subjunctive?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

When cuando is used to refer to an event in the future one uses the subjunctive:

Cuando vayas a la playa, por favor disfrutas todo.

But when cuando is used to refer to a general condition (as I just used it in this sentence), or to an event in the past, it does not take the subjunctive.

Correction: "..., por favor disfruta de todo." However, people say "pása(te)lo bien". - lazarus1907, Aug 26, 2011

This, in a nutshell, is the distinction in meaning that matters. - samdie, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 2

It is simple: when the situation described with "cuando" is perceived as true, you use indicative; you you can't declare such a thing, you use subjunctive:

Cuando mis padres me visitan... -> My parents do visit me, so it is true.

Cuando un practica, mejora -> I think people do improve when they practice, so it is true.

Cuando vengas, te invitaré -> I don't think your coming to see me is true right now. [subjunctive]

Cuando la humanidad sea feliz... -> I do not think that mankind is happy [subjunctive]

Answer 3

I wouldn't use the subjunctive in your case because there is little doubt that knowing more than one language gives somebody more opportunities in life - a generalization. However, it depends on the speakers perception and context. In some cases, like if the speaker had doubts and was asking that as a question to someone else, I believe the subjunctive could be used.

Answer 4

I'm not a native Spanish speaker, but I do study the subjunctive a lot. In this case, I would say:

Cuando se sabe más que un idioma, se tiene más oportunidades en la vida.

Let's see what the experts say about that!

más de un... - pescador1, Aug 26, 2011

Thanks Pescador. That's why I gave it a shot... So I can learn too! - MLucie, Aug 26, 2011

Answer 5

The one you're talking to may or may not know more than one language, and even with knowing many languages, it's not sure whether or not one may have many opportunities.

I'd use the subjunctive with both verbs.

Let's see what the experts will say.

Answer 6

A hesitant suggestion: as the subjunctive is so difficult, could one avoid the problem and say:

Si hablaras mas de un idioma, tendrías mas oportunidades en la vida.

Yes, you could avoid it, but not the way you have it: Si hablas más ...tendrás - gintar77, Aug 27, 2011

However, the above would be a statement expressing a likely situation for some who already knows more than one language. If you're telling someone that they "would" have more opportunities if they "were to speak" more than one language: - gintar77, Aug 27, 2011

then you would need subjunctive: Si hablaras más ... tendrías más - gintar77, Aug 27, 2011

Thank you Gintar, that's why I tried, I did change the meaning a little,but seemed easier..It would be easier in a conversation, for me anyway. Do you think if I were to speak better Spanish I would have more opportunities in life though? Ojalá! - annierats, Aug 27, 2011