suene
/SWAY-neh/
may sound
This image shows an object that may sound, visualizing the uncertainty or wish implied by 'suene' (may sound).
suene(verb)
may sound
?expressing a wish or doubt about noise
,may ring
?referring to a phone or bell
ring (you formal/I)
?command or personal desire
📝 In Action
Quiero que la alarma suene a las siete.
A1I want the alarm to ring at seven.
Ojalá que no suene tan mal.
A2I hope it doesn't sound so bad.
¡Que suene la música!
B1Let the music play! (Literally: That the music may sound!)
💡 Grammar Points
Subjunctive for Wishes
"Suene" is used when you express a wish, desire, or influence over a sound, often after verbs like 'querer' (to want) or expressions like 'ojalá' (I hope/wish).
Formal Command
"Suene" is also the polite command form for 'usted' (you formal), telling someone to make a sound or ring: 'No suene la bocina, por favor' (Don't sound the horn, please).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the 'Normal' Form
Mistake: "Quiero que la música *suena* fuerte."
Correction: Quiero que la música *suene* fuerte. (When two parts of a sentence have different subjects—I want/music sounds—the second verb often changes to the special subjunctive form.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Stem Change Reminder
Remember that the 'o' in the base verb 'sonar' changes to 'ue' in most forms, including 'suene,' but not in 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' (sonemos, sonéis).
The hazy cube represents something that may seem a certain way, capturing the doubt about an impression conveyed by 'suene' (may seem).
suene(verb)
may seem
?expressing doubt about an impression
,may sound like
?referring to an idea or rumor
may suggest
?figurative meaning
📝 In Action
No creo que me suene familiar su nombre.
B1I don't think his name sounds familiar to me.
Es posible que la historia suene un poco exagerada.
B2It is possible that the story sounds a bit exaggerated.
Dudo que esta propuesta nos suene bien a todos.
B2I doubt that this proposal sounds good to all of us.
💡 Grammar Points
Impersonal Opinions Trigger Subjunctive
When expressing an impersonal opinion, doubt, or possibility (like 'no creo que' or 'es posible que') about how something sounds or seems, you must use the special verb form 'suene'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Me suene'
This figurative meaning often uses an indirect object pronoun (like 'me,' 'te,' 'nos') to show who the sound or idea is directed at: 'Me suene bien' (It sounds good to me).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
imperfect
present
preterite
subjunctive
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: suene
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'suene' to express a wish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'sonar' change to 'suene'?
'Sonar' is a stem-changing verb, meaning the vowel in the middle of the verb often changes when you conjugate it. The 'o' changes to 'ue' in most forms, including 'suene,' but not in the 'we' (nosotros) form.
When is 'suene' used as a command?
'Suene' is the formal command for 'usted' (you, formal). If you are politely telling a manager or elder to make a sound, you would use 'suene' (e.g., 'No suene la alarma hasta mañana,' meaning 'Don't ring the alarm until tomorrow').