Quick answer
quiero que vengas
Used after wishes, emotions, doubt and certain conjunctions. It marks the clause as wanted or uncertain, not reported as fact.
How to build it
Take the yo form of the present, drop the -o, add the opposite vowel endings.
| Person | hablar | comer | tener |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hable | coma | tenga |
| tú | hables | comas | tengas |
| él / ella / usted | hable | coma | tenga |
| nosotros | hablemos | comamos | tengamos |
| vosotros | habléis | comáis | tengáis |
| ellos / ustedes | hablen | coman | tengan |
Tener shows why the yo form matters: tengo gives tenga. The same trick works for salgo, hago, digo and conozco.
What triggers it
Two different subjects plus a trigger verb, joined by que.
If both halves share a subject, use an infinitive instead: Quiero venir.
Six irregular verbs
These do not come from a yo form.
| Verb | Subjunctive |
|---|---|
| ser | sea, seas, sea… |
| estar | esté, estés, esté… |
| ir | vaya, vayas, vaya… |
| haber | haya |
| saber | sepa, sepas… |
| dar | dé, des, dé… |
After certain conjunctions
Some always take the subjunctive; cuando takes it only when the event has not happened yet.
Memory trick
Two subjects and a que in between? Check whether the first verb expresses a wish, a feeling or a doubt. If so, the second one changes mood.
Typical mistakes
Quiero que tú vienes.
Quiero que vengas.
A wish about someone else forces the subjunctive. English "I want you to come" hides the clause, which is why it gets missed.
Quiero que voy al cine.
Quiero ir al cine.
Same subject in both halves, so Spanish uses a plain infinitive with no que.
Creo que sea buena idea.
Creo que es buena idea.
Affirmative creer states a belief as fact and keeps the indicative. Only no creo triggers the subjunctive.
Check yourself
Espero que ___ bien. (estar, tú)