Giving Advice: Aconsejar

Spanish advice follows a simple recipe. First, you need a verb of influence. These are verbs like aconsejar (to advise). Or recomendar (to recommend). Next, you add the magic word que. This word acts like a bridge. It connects your advice to the action. Finally, you use the Subjunctive verb. Why the subjunctive? Because advice is not a guaranteed reality. You can advise someone to go to bed. But they might stay up watching Netflix. The outcome is uncertain. That uncertainty is why the subjunctive exists. It is the mood of possibilities.

1. 1Creating the subjunctive is like a swap meet. You take the normal endings and flip them.
2. 2Start with the yo form of the present. For hablar, that is hablo.
3. 3Drop the -o. Now you have the stem habl-.
4. 4Add the "opposite" ending.
5. 5For -ar verbs, use -e endings.
6. 6For -er and -ir verbs, use -a endings.
7. 7Let's look at hablar (to speak).
8. 8Yo hable
9. 9Tú hables
10. 10Él/Ella hable
11. 11Nosotros hablemos
12. 12Ellos hablen
13. 13Now look at comer (to eat).
14. 14Yo coma
15. 15Tú comas
16. 16Él/Ella coma
17. 17Nosotros comamos
18. 18Ellos coman
19. 19Yes, it feels like a prank. The -ar verbs look like -er verbs. The -er verbs look like -ar verbs. Just remember: it's a flip-flop!

Use this pattern when you want to be helpful. Imagine you are at a pharmacy. You might say, Le aconsejo que tome esta medicina. This sounds professional and kind. Imagine you are helping a tourist. You could say, Te recomiendo que vayas al museo. This is much better than just saying "Go to the museum." It feels like a warm suggestion. You also use it in job interviews. You might give a tip to a colleague. Te sugiero que llegues temprano. It works for food too. Os recomiendo que probéis la paella. It is the ultimate tool for being a good friend.

Do not use the subjunctive for hard facts. If you say "The water is cold," use the normal indicative. El agua está fría. No advice is happening there. Do not use it if there is no que. If you say "I recommend the pizza," just use Recomiendo la pizza. There is no second verb to conjugate. Also, don't use it for yourself alone. If you say "I need to sleep," just use Necesito dormir. You only need the subjunctive when there are two different people. I advise you to do something. If it's just me, keep it simple.

The biggest mistake is forgetting the que. Without the bridge, the sentence collapses. Another mistake is using the normal present tense. Te aconsejo que hablas is wrong. It sounds like you are saying "I advise that you are currently speaking." It makes no sense! People also forget irregular verbs. Ir (to go) becomes vaya. Tener (to have) becomes tenga. These are super common in advice. Don't let them trip you up. Finally, don't mix up the subjects. Make sure the first verb matches you. Make sure the second verb matches the person receiving advice.

You have other ways to give advice. You can use deber (must/should). Debes comer más. This is direct and strong. It is like a parent talking to a child. You can use the Imperative (commands). ¡Come más! This is very bossy. Use it with close friends or in emergencies. The aconsejar que + subjunctive pattern is the middle ground. It is the "Goldilocks" of advice. Not too bossy, not too weak. It is just right for most social situations. It shows respect and good manners.