Podemos hallar una solución si pensamos con calma y hablamos abiertamente.

We can find a solution if we think calmly and speak openly.

Breakdown of Podemos hallar una solución si pensamos con calma y hablamos abiertamente.

• hablar: to speak
• con: with
• nosotros: we
• y: and
• si: if
• poder: to be able
• la solución: the solution
• hallar: to find
• pensar: to think
• la calma: the calm
• abiertamente: openly

Questions & Answers about Podemos hallar una solución si pensamos con calma y hablamos abiertamente.

Why is hallar used here instead of encontrar?

Both hallar and encontrar mean “to find,” but hallar can sometimes sound slightly more formal or literary, while encontrar can be more common in everyday speech. In many contexts, they are interchangeable, but using hallar can give a nuanced sense of “coming upon a solution” after some thought.

What does con calma imply, and why use con?

Con calma literally translates to “with calmness.” Spanish often uses con + noun to describe a manner or style of doing something. Here, con calma suggests approaching things peacefully and patiently, rather than hurriedly or anxiously.

Why is hablamos (indicative) used here rather than the subjunctive like hablemos?

Hablamos in the indicative indicates a straightforward action that we’re committing to do (we speak openly). If you used hablemos (subjunctive), it would be more of a suggestion or command (“let’s speak openly”). In this sentence, stating hablamos is like calmly stating a plan rather than proposing a new one.

Is pensamos con calma interchangeable with something like pensamos tranquilamente?

Yes. Pensamos tranquilamente (“we think calmly/peacefully”) conveys a similar idea. The difference is subtle: con calma emphasizes the manner as a noun phrase, while tranquilamente is an adverb. Both communicate a peaceful approach to thinking.

Does abiertamente have other uses besides “openly” in reference to speech?

Abiertamente generally means “openly,” “frankly,” or “honestly” and is typically used in contexts involving speech, behavior, or attitudes. It emphasizes transparency and candor. While it can appear in other contexts, it usually involves being direct or clear.