spanish phrase

Question

what is the meaning of "sea como fuere"'

Answer 1

''''''''

Answer 2

Thanks H and L!
You've plugged another hole in my Spanish knowledge. Only 637,912 left to go...

I have heard "Adonde fueres, haz lo que vieres" (When in Rome, do as the Romans do) many times, but for some reason I had never analyzed its grammar. And while I now understand that it could be restated as "Adonde vayas, haz lo que veas," that doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

Arigatou!

Answer 3

The future subjunctive is practically obsolete in modern Spanish in most countries... except for a few idioms, like the one in this thread, or in legal jargon and bureaucratic texts with an intended solemn and grandiloquent style. Another typical sentence with this tense:

Adonde fueres, haz lo que vieres.

Most native speakers don't even know when or how to use this tense. However, if you are curious, it appears only in "contingent" conditions (for hypothetical actions) in the present or in the future, and it can be simply replaced by the present indicative or subjunctive.

Answer 4

You are right, James, not often used, not to say not at al.

Sea como sea: however...

I would say the meaning is very similar but sea como sea more realistic, I mean , less hypothetical.

I am sure, lazarus can explain this beautifully, but he doesnt' seem to be around. I will tell him about this question.

Answer 5

Heidita, I see that "fuere" is the future subjunctive form of ser, but I was taught that this form isn't used in modern Spanish. When else is it used? Also, how is this used differently from "sea como sea"'

Answer 6

Hi Steve, next time put the words in the title!

sea como fuere: whatever the result, however it may be....

context please!