Using "que" and the subjunctive without a verb beforehand
While I was in Spain, I noticed the use of the subjunctive in a way I had never heard it. I understand the phrases which indicate use of the subjunctive (sugerir que, querer que, esperar que, etc.). But I often I heard use of the subjunctive without a verb before the "que".
Example: "Que te pares!" or "que te calles"
I understand the meaning well enough, but how does that compare in meaning to the imperative form ("parate" and "callate")?
4 Answers
My personal understanding has been that that manner of using que was derived from just dropping the verbs you mention above, and formed sort of a gentler, softer command (just like in English- I wish you would be quiet is a bit softer than: Be quiet!):
Que te mejores pronto= (Espero) que te mejores pronto for example.
Que te calles you might think querer (quiero que...), but then maybe you are thinking exigir (in which case maybe you would just use a command).
But I think it allows you not to have to pick the precise verb you would put in front and just leave it implicit.
That is my understanding anyway.
It is as Bosquederoble said, a matter of just dropping the verb that goes before que, but this form does not make the frase "softer." In fact, it can make the phrase stronger depending on the context.
Que te mejores pronto / Espero que te mejores: have the same nuance mostly.
¡Cállate! .... Shut up! ...imperative
¡Qué te calles! / I demand that you shut up! ..... nuance of frustration. Normally a stronger emotion or anger than indicated by the imperative form.
Que tengas un buen día .... a simple wish.
Espero que tengas un buen día ... more envolvement on the part of the speaker.
The differences of nuance are small between imperative and indicative phrases of this type, but tone of voice and the particular word really make the difference.
There are other forms to express a command:
Imperative form: ¡Calla!, ¡cállate!
Present tense sentence: ¡Tú te callas!
Future tense sentence: ¡Callarás! No matarás. No robarás. Amarás a Dios.
Gerund: ¡Callando! ¡Andando!
Infinitive: ¡A callar!
Other forms of imperative:
O te callas o te vas. O vienes aquí inmediatamente o me voy.
¡Que te calles!
¿Te callas? ¿Por qué no te callas?
To me it's usually a wish/want/desire but a little more generalized.
"Que te calles" - Oh that you would just be quiet!
"Que le vaya bien" - That it would go well with you
Another way of looking at it would be to insert a relative verb of your choice based on the tone of the speaker when it's said.
"(Ojalá) ¡¡Que te calles!!" - My God would you just be quiet!
"(Espero) Que le vaya bien" - I hope things go well for you.(basically "have a nice day")
