Irony, subjunctive, etc....

[tacuba]

Sometimes I just can't formulate a thought in Spanish. I want to say "it's ironic that you said that." "Es irónico que hayas dicho eso." This doesn't sound right, but it's the best I can come up with.

Thanks everyone in advance.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by tacuba

Sometimes I just can't formulate a thought in Spanish. I want to say "it's ironic that you said that." "Es irónico que hayas dicho eso." This doesn't sound right, but it's the best I can come up with.

Thanks everyone in advance.

That's why I recommend you think very well in English first what you want to say in Spanish, and then translate. It will be easier on your head, and ultimately you will become accustomed.

it's ironic that you said that - Es ironico que dijeras eso

Es irónico que hayas dicho eso. - It's ironic that you had said that.

See?

Utilize what you know in English, that is what you know best! And then apply it to Spanish. While at it you will iron out errors.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by tacuba

Sometimes I just can't formulate a thought in Spanish. I want to say "it's ironic that you said that." "Es irónico que hayas dicho eso." This doesn't sound right, but it's the best I can come up with.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Es irónico que dijaste eso. (Indicative is OK, if dealing in fact.)
Es irónico que dijeras eso. (Use the subjunctive if dealing with emotion, doubt, etc.)
= It's ironic that you said that.

I chose to use a simple verb instead of a compound verb (hayas dicho = have said) simply because it matches the English translation. Using the perfect tense renders another meaning.

[tacuba]

¿Por qué tenía yo en la cabeza que no se puede usar el imperfecto subjuntivo cuando la cláusala principal es en el presente? Ayyy!!!!

Muchas gracias a ustedes.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Es irónico que dijaste eso. (Indicative is OK, if dealing in fact.)
Es irónico que dijeras eso. (Use the subjunctive if dealing with emotion, doubt, etc.)
= It's ironic that you said that.

I chose to use a simple verb instead of a compound verb (hayas dicho = have said) simply because it matches the English translation. Using the perfect tense renders another meaning.

Did you mean, "Es irónico que dijiste eso," Rusty? Just to avoid confusion.

[irmamar]

También se puede decir: Es irónico eso que has dicho (cuando lo ha dicho hace poco).

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Nico

Did you mean, "Es irónico que dijiste eso," Rusty?

Sí.

[Vikingo]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Es irónico que dijiste eso. (Indicative is OK, if dealing in fact.)

This sentence would never go in indicative. It's a so-called "value judgment", and we're dealing with known information (your listener obviously already knows that he's said whatever he said).

In some rare cases with "value judgment + que + subordinate clause" the indicative is possible, but the reason is normally that the speaker half-way through the sentence realizes "oh, wait, he doesn't know that", and uses the indicative to inform about the subordinate that follows.

Saludos

[irmamar]

Sería más correcto: Es irónico eso que dijiste / eso que has dicho.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Sería más correcto: Es irónico eso que dijiste / eso que has dicho.

A eso se referia Rusty! Porque lo que esta en verde seria el particio, ¿no?

Yo me limite a lo que tacuba queria, o sea en subjuntivo, o lo que yo creo que es el subjuntivo...