si
/see/
📝 In Action
Si llueve, no salimos.
A1If it rains, we don't go out.
Llámame si necesitas algo.
A1Call me if you need something.
No sé si vendrá a la fiesta.
A2I don't know if/whether he will come to the party.
Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría por el mundo.
B1If I had more money, I would travel the world.
💡 Grammar Points
Setting Up 'If... Then...' Sentences
'Si' is your go-to word for setting up a condition. The first part of the sentence starts with 'si' (the 'if' part), and the second part is the result (the 'then' part).
❌ Common Pitfalls
The Missing Accent Mark
Mistake: "To say 'Yes, I want to go,' a learner might write: 'Si, quiero ir.'"
Correction: The correct way is 'Sí, quiero ir.' The word for 'if' has no accent mark, but the word for 'yes' MUST have one. They sound the same but are different words.
⭐ Usage Tips
No Accent = 'If'
Here's a simple way to remember: If you're asking 'what if?', use the 'si' with no accent mark on the 'i'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: si
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'si' to mean 'if'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important difference between 'si' and 'sí'?
The accent mark! It's tiny but completely changes the meaning. No accent ('si') means 'if' and is used for conditions. With an accent ('sí') it means 'yes' or refers back to a person (like 'himself' or 'herself').
Can 'si' ever mean 'yes' in French? Is it the same in Spanish?
Yes, in French, 'si' can mean 'yes' in response to a negative question. However, this rule does NOT apply to Spanish. In Spanish, 'sí' (with an accent) is always the word for 'yes', and 'si' (no accent) is always 'if'.
Why do I see 'a sí mismo' sometimes? What does the 'a' do?
The little word 'a' is often required before 'sí mismo' when it's the target of an action. Think of 'a' as a little arrow pointing the action at someone. For example, 'Se ve a sí mismo en el espejo' (He sees himself in the mirror). The 'a' points the 'seeing' action at 'himself'.