How to say something sarcastic or facetious in Spanish

Question

Is it ever possible to use the subjunctive to express something sarcastically or facetiously in Spanish?

If so, could you please give some examples?

If there are other recognizable linguistic means available to accomplish such expressions, might I have some examples?

I know this is way above my learning level, but I'm still curious.

I'm also aware there are probably thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of ways it might be done. But any feedback would be appreciated

Answer 1

¡De ningún modo! Sería una tontería pensar en usar el subjuntivo, el indicativo o cualquier otro «-ivo» para expresar el sarcasmo.

Por ejemplo, yo nunca uso el indicativo para hablar en broma.

Y sonaría fatal si alguien tratase de usar el subjuntivo para expresarse de modo irónico

Por eso, lo mejor es que nunca hables así

¿Me entiendes? ¡Nunca hables así!

Thanks, Izanoni! Guess that settles my question! - territurtle, Nov 10, 2011

¡Caramba Iza! ¡Deja el sarcasmo! :-] - Gekkosan, Nov 10, 2011

Answer 2

I'd say that you can use the subjunctive in sarcastic statements but not because they're sarcastic or to make them sarcastic just because the sentence structure, verbs used etc requires the subjunctive.

Here's one example that a friend gave me, let's say that your child wants to go out but you don't think that they've done their homework or done it well enough so you could say:

Supongo que esperas que me pase toda la tarde revisando tus lecciones.

and when i said I was going to steal the example and put it here this was the other example given, which as you can see doesn't contain the subjunctive and

Me imagino que me vas a dar tanto crédito como Shakira le dio a Golden Sounds.

I asked if you could change 'vas' to 'vayas' but apparently this phrase would never work with 'vayas' unless it was changed it to:

Ah, pero no me vayas a dar tanto crédito como Shakira le dió a Golden Sounds....

Oh, ¡excelentes ejemplos! Debes tener muy buenos amigos, que te ayudan con estos ejemplos tan desprendidamente. :) - Gekkosan, Nov 10, 2011

I know! tell me about it :p - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 10, 2011

You (and your friends!) sure do come through with some great responses, Kiwi!! - territurtle, Nov 10, 2011

Answer 3

It´s not a matter of subjunctive or indicative to be sarcastic, but of specific words and intonation as in any language, ie: "¡Ay sí, tú!" A response indicating total disbelief or nonsense.

Thanks, Julian. Your example and response helped a lot! - territurtle, Nov 10, 2011

Answer 4

Hi Territurtle!

I'm not sure I understand your question.

Do you mean if it's possible, for example, turning a neutral sentence into a sarcastic one by changing the mood only?

If this is your question, I don't think so. Sarcasm to me is not related to any mood, nor tense. It's more in the person andin the choice of words...and in the way you say something, and when you do it.

¡Hola, Laura! Creo que nos quedamos de acuerdo ¿verdad? - 005faa61, Nov 10, 2011

Thanks dear Cogumela! I've tried to give an example situation below. - territurtle, Nov 10, 2011

Answer 5

I would guess that you would use the indicative for sarcasm, but that is only a guess.

Thanks Lorenzo! I **always** appreciate your opinion! - territurtle, Nov 10, 2011

Answer 6

@ Cogumela

When I was discussing this topic last night, it was brought to my attention that in languages where the passive voice and/or reflexive is used to "excuse" an action, e.g., "the glass broke itself (El vidrio se rompió.)," it's a construction which young children learn very fast!

And there are usually a set of standard responses which parents might give, such as "Did you help the glass? (¿Ayudaste el vidrio?)"

So thinking along these lines, are there some set responses in Spanish which come to mind when encountering such situations