Forma Reduplicativa

Spanish has a very common sentence structure known as the forma reduplicativa that is commonly used as the equivalent of English sentences using words such as "whatever," "whoever" and "whenever."

In the forma reduplicativa, literally the "redoubled form," a verb in the subjunctive mood is repeated. The two subjunctive verbs are separated by a conjunction — although usually the conjunction is a word such as cuando or lo que that usually functions as a different part of speech.

The forma reduplicativa can better be understood by looking at examples rather than following grammatical rules. Here some examples of the forma reduplicativa used to convey the idea of "whatever":

• Es una decisión muy importante, y hagas lo que hagas vamos a estar contigo. It's a very important decision, and whatever you do we are going to be with you.
• Pase lo que pase estoy a tu lado. Whatever happens, I am at your side.
• Sea como sea tu principal objetivo esta claro. Whatever may be, your main goal is clear.
• Digan lo que digan sobre los juegos de video, lo cierto es que adquieren mayor popularidad con cada año que pasa. Whatever they say about videogames, what is certain is that they gain more popularity with each passing year.
• Ves lo que ves, no digas nada. Whatever you see, don't say anything.
• Podemos elegir nuestro camino, nuestro futuro, sea el que sea. We can chose our path, our future, whatever it is.

Some other examples of the forma reduplicativa translated with words other than "whatever":

• Los pagos iniciales, vengan cuando vengan, serán modestos. The first payments, whenever they come, will be modest.
• Estaremos esperando a tus noticias, salgan cuando salgan. We will be waiting for your news, whenever it comes out. (In this sentence, the plural Spanish word noticias translates as a singular word in English.)
• Sea quien sea, representará sólo los intereses de los grupos de poder. Whoever it is, he/she will represent only the interests of the groups in power.
• Creo que lo hagas como lo hagas, es imposible ser perfecto. I think that however you do it, it is impossible to be perfect.

Set phrases using the forma reduplicativa: Common everyday phrases using the forma redublicativa include the following, which are also used in the examples above but with a different translation. Translations other than those given are possible:

• sea como sea — in any case, be that as it may
• venga lo que venga — come what may