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Hablemos mientras podamos

 

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  #1  
Old June 28, 2021, 12:29 PM
Tyrn Tyrn is offline
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Hablemos mientras podamos

Hi,

—queda poco tiempo; hablemos mientras
podamos

—the time is short; let us talk while we still can

hablemos is probably imperative; what is podamos? Present subjunctive?
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  #2  
Old June 28, 2021, 03:18 PM
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Yes, that's the subjunctive. Uncertainty is implied.
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Old June 29, 2021, 02:19 PM
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When the imperative is for "nosotros", it's usually understood more as an invitation than as an order.


As for the subjunctive, it's introduced here by two factors:

1) When "mientras" works as a conjunction introducing a certain condition to happen, it cannot be built with the future or the conditional and it always takes the subjunctive.
- No tendrás problemas mientras estudies. (Not "mientras estudiarás")
You won't have any problems as long as you study.
- Seamos felices mientras estemos juntos. (Not "mientras estaremos")
Let's be happy while we are together.
- Me dijeron que podría vivir aquí mientras pagara la renta. (Not "mientras pagaría")
I was told I could live here as long as I paid the rent.
- Juan le prometió a María que mientras saliera con él, él pagaría las cuentas. (Not "mientras saldría")
Juan promised María that he would pay the bills for as long as she would go out with him.

2) The imperative that "expects" a future action also "triggers" the subjunctive:
- Escríbeme siempre que tengas tiempo. (Not "tendrás")
Write to me whenever you have time.
- Aprovechen la oportunidad mientras esté disponible. (Not "estará")
Take the chance while it's still available.
- Toma todas las galletas que quieras. (Not "querrás")
Take all the cookies you want.
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