si
Lemma Details
Translation: if; whether
Part of Speech: conjunction
Etymology: Si comes from Latin 'si' meaning 'if, whether'. This word has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning from Latin to modern Spanish. It's cognate with French 'si' and Italian 'se', all deriving from the same Latin conditional particle. The English word 'if' comes from a completely different Germanic root, but serves the same conditional function in sentences.
Commonality: 95%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'si' as setting up a 'scenario' - both start with 's'
- Remember that 'if' in Spanish is 'si' - just two letters to introduce a condition
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Si is one of the most fundamental conjunctions in Spanish, used in countless conditional expressions and hypothetical situations. It's essential for everyday communication.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Si (without accent) means 'if/whether', while sí (with accent) means 'yes' or can be a reflexive pronoun meaning 'himself/herself/itself/themselves'.
Confused word:
Sí, vendré a la fiesta.
Yes, I'll come to the party.
Notes: The accent mark is crucial for distinguishing between these two very common words.
Mnemonic: The accent makes all the difference: si (no accent) is conditional, sí (with accent) is affirmative.
Explanation: Si means 'if/whether', while se is a reflexive or impersonal pronoun.
This word:
No sé si vendrá.
I don't know if he'll come.
Confused word:
Se fue temprano.
He left early.
Notes: These words sound similar but have completely different grammatical functions.
Mnemonic: Si has an 'i' for 'if', while se has an 'e' for 'everyone' (when used impersonally).