¿Podrías decirle a tu madre que me escriba?
Could you tell your mother to write to me?
¿Podría usted explicármelo?
Could you explain it to me?21.1 (p. 99)
68.1.6 ¿Le/te importaría?+ infinitive
This expression which carries the conditional of the verb importar, literally ‘to matter’,
is similar in meaning to the English phrase ‘Would you mind’+ gerund and, as a form
of request, it is used in contexts similar to this. Note that importar is similar to gustar
(e.g.¿le gustaría?, ‘would you like?’), that is, with the third person ending of the verb,
and preceded by an indirect object pronoun. 17.7 (p. 77); 58.1 (p. 340)
¿Le importaría esperarme un momento?
Would you mind waiting for me a moment?
¿Te importaría llevar mi maleta?
Would you mind carrying my suitcase?68.1.7 ¿Sería tan amable de... ?/¿Tendría la amabilidad de... ?/Tenga la bondad de...
- infinitive
These expressions correspond to a formal, spoken register.
¿Sería tan amable de ayudarme a bajar esa maleta?
Would you be kind enough to help me get that suitcase down?
¿Tendría la amabilidad de cambiármelo?
Would you be kind enough to change it for me?
Tenga la bondad de explicármelo de nuevo.
Please be kind enough to explain it to me again.68.1.8 Le(s) ruego/rogamos (que)+ present subjunctive
This construction with rogar, literally ‘to beg’, is a typical form of request found in
formal letter writing, especially in business letters. Note that que can be omitted
in this case. 16.1.1.3 (p. 61); 18.1.1 (p. 84)
Le ruego (que) me envíe más información.
Please send me more information.
Les ruego (que) me reserven una habitación.
Please reserve me a room.Les rogamos (que) nos contesten a la brevedad posible.
Please answer us as soon as possible.Common expressions of request 68.1