sentence in the subjuntive

Question

avísame cuando hubieras/es visto el regalo que te gusta

Is the subjunctive in past or future?

Its either saying let me know when you will find a gift that you like or let me know when you have found a gift that you like.

Which one sounds right to you? future or past subjunctive in that situation?

Answer 1

Avísame cuando hayas visto el regalo que te gusta.

Tell me when you've seen the gift that you like.

I think the "que te gusta" implies that you already know what you're looking for.

Cuando hayas visto (it's an intended future that may not occur, you may not see it)

que te gusta (but you know that in reality it exist)

That's my take on it. It doesn't make sense to me with "hubieras."

A note: If you didn't know what the gift may be, or rather it will exist, you would use "que te guste" which projects the mindset that you may not find it because it may not existe.

Avísame cuando hayas visto un regalo que te guste. (I'd also use change "el/the" to "un/a" ...changing the definite article to indefinite)

when I say "you know it exist" I mean ..you know you know. It's a gold watch that you saw already or you were already told about. - avispao, Jan 21, 2013

Thank you! Thank you. I also felt ' hubieras ' to be wrong, great to have an explanation as to why. - annierats, Jan 21, 2013

My vote of the week! - annierats, Jan 21, 2013

Thank you - avispao, Jan 21, 2013