Conditional vs. Future Tense

Question

I need to RSVP in Spanish to a dinner invitation. I’m not sure how to phrase my response.

In English: “Thank you for the invitation. I would be delighted to come to dinner at your house on Jan. 11. Please tell me if there is anything I can bring.

In Spanish: 1st sentence: “Muchas gracias por tu (informal) invitación.” That’s pretty straightforward, I think.
2nd sentence: “Me encantaría asistir la cena en tu casa el 11 de enero.” o “Estaría encantada de venir a cenar en tu casa el 11 de enero.”

In English, you can say “I would be delighted to come” when what you actually mean is “I am delighted and I will definitely be there barring any unforeseen circumstances that would absolutely prevent me from coming.” I’m just not sure that this particular English use of the conditional phrase “I would be” translates well into Spanish. If that is the case, can I just use the present and future tenses?
For example: “Estoy encantada aceptar y estaré allí para cenar el 11 de enero.” or words to that effect.

3rd sentence: “Por favor dime si hay algo puedo traer.”
¡Gracias por su ayuda!

I cannot answer your question, but I think you need to use "a" after "asistir" when used to mean "attend" and not "tend to", and I think you need to say "hay algo que puedo..."- I am learning and frequently wrong though. :-) - Stadt, Jan 3, 2012

Yes, Stadt! Very well pointed! :) - cogumela, Jan 3, 2012

Thanks Stadt. Those "little" words get me every time.... :) - ajaks, Jan 3, 2012

Except I failed to recognize the need for the subjunctive. Still, I learn from each of these. - Stadt, Jan 3, 2012

I read through the SD pages on the subjunctive, and I'm not sure that it is called for here. But what do I know about the subjunctive! - ajaks, Jan 3, 2012

Right, I just caught it - "que **pueda** llevar." It takes me awhile, but I do get there eventually. :) - ajaks, Jan 3, 2012

Answer 1

Hi ajaks!

It sounds very kind.

Just a few tiny changes:

Muchas gracias por tu invitación.--> Perfect!

“Me encantaría asistir a la cena en tu casa el 11 de enero.”

“Estaría encantada de venir ir a cenar en a tu casa el 11 de enero.”

“Estoy encantada de aceptar y estaré allí para cenar el 11 de enero.” --> Excellent wording!

“Por favor, dime si hay algo que pueda traer. llevar”

Well done!!!

Thanks so much Congumela! I don't know what we would do without you! And thank you for the encouraging words. :) - ajaks, Jan 3, 2012

Answer 2

fWow! There are so many landmines in learning a new language. Thanks for pointing this one out.

The use of the future tense I think creates a sort of obligation while the conditional says I'll come if I can. Since I think an RSVP is intended to creat an obligation I would use the future. But your english phrasing "I would be delighted to come" screams conditional in spanish.

Comments from a native speaker please.

Hi gringo! I agree with you - the future tense seems to leave no question as to what I'm trying to say. But the conditional is prettier! Thanks for you input. :) - ajaks, Jan 3, 2012

Answer 3

I have never heard anyone say "Estaria encantada".... But for your third sentence I would say "si hay algo que puedo" or even "si hay algo que yo pueda". Often we cut out the "that" in English but I don't think you can do that in Spanish, and the subjunctive might be called for since it is a hypothetical situation- although I admit I have had little experience outside the classroom.

Oh no! Not the subjunctive....! I'll never understand the subjunctive. Anyway you are definititely right about the "que." Thank you. - ajaks, Jan 3, 2012

OK, I finally caught on. I was concentrating so hard on my options for sentence #2 that I completely overlooked the subjunctive in sentence #3! :( - ajaks, Jan 3, 2012