bendiga
ben-DEE-gah
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Espero que Dios lo bendiga en su viaje.
B1I hope that God blesses him on his trip.
¡Que bendiga esta comida, Señor!
B2May you bless this food, Lord! (Formal command/wish)
No creo que yo bendiga esa decisión.
B2I don't believe that I would bless (support) that decision.
💡 Grammar Points
The Subjunctive Use
This form ('bendiga') is a special verb ending used to express hopes, wishes, or uncertainty. It's often used after 'que' (that) when expressing what you want someone else to do.
Formal Commands
When giving a polite, formal command to 'usted' (you, formal), the verb uses this exact form: '¡Bendiga la casa!' (Bless the house!).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative
Mistake: "Using 'Espero que Dios bendice...' (using the regular present form)."
Correction: You must use the special wish form: 'Espero que Dios bendiga...' because you are expressing a hope, not a fact.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Decir' Pattern
Notice that 'bendecir' (to bless) follows the same pattern as 'decir' (to say) in its irregular parts, like the preterite ('bendije', 'dije') and the subjunctive ('bendiga', 'diga'). This helps with memory!
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bendiga
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences correctly uses 'bendiga' as a formal command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bendiga' a command or a wish?
'Bendiga' can be both! It is the formal command form for 'usted' (you), AND it is the special 'wish' form (present subjunctive) for 'yo,' 'él,' 'ella,' and 'usted.' Context tells you which one it is.
Why is 'bendiga' irregular?
The verb 'bendecir' is irregular because its stem changes in the present tense ('bendigo' instead of 'bendeco') and its preterite (past simple) forms follow the pattern of 'decir' (to say), becoming 'bendije' instead of the expected regular ending.