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Questions & Answers about Tal vez podamos vernos después del trabajo y quedar un rato.
Why is the verb podamos in the subjunctive?
Because tal vez introduces uncertainty. With tal vez, Spanish allows either:
- Subjunctive: Tal vez podamos… (sounds a bit more tentative/uncertain)
- Indicative: Tal vez podemos… (a bit more neutral/matter-of-fact)
Both are correct; choice reflects how certain the speaker feels.
Can I say Tal vez podemos vernos instead?
Yes. It’s perfectly correct and common. Compared with Tal vez podamos…, the indicative can sound slightly more confident or casual. In Spain you’ll hear both.
Can I move the pronoun? Is Tal vez nos podamos ver correct?
Yes. Both are fine:
- Tal vez podamos vernos…
- Tal vez nos podamos ver… Clitic pronouns go before a conjugated verb or get attached to an infinitive/gerund/affirmative command. Don’t write ver nos; it must be vernos (one word).
What exactly does vernos mean here?
It’s reciprocal: vernos = “see each other.” With a plural subject (we), nos often means “each other.” It does not mean “see us” in this context.
What does quedar mean in Spain?
In Spain, quedar (con alguien) commonly means “to arrange to meet” or “to hang out.” Examples:
- ¿Quedamos mañana? = “Shall we meet tomorrow?”
- Quedar para tomar algo = “meet to have a drink” In much of Latin America, people more often say juntarnos, reunirnos, or simply vernos for this meaning, though quedar is understood.
What’s the difference between quedar and quedarse?
- quedar (no “se”): to arrange to meet; also “to be left/remain” (quantity), “to suit/fit” (clothes).
- quedarse: to stay/remain somewhere. So quedar un rato = “meet/hang out for a while,” while quedarnos un rato = “stay for a while (somewhere).”
Is it redundant to say vernos … y quedar un rato?
A little. Vernos already implies meeting; quedar un rato adds the idea of spending some time together. You could streamline to either:
- Tal vez podamos vernos después del trabajo.
- Tal vez podamos quedar un rato después del trabajo.
Why del in después del trabajo?
It’s the contraction of de + el → del. You must contract with el (the article), but not with la/los/las. Also, de + él (the pronoun “him”) does not contract.
Can I say después de trabajar or después de que… instead?
Yes:
- Después de trabajar = “after working/after we finish work.”
- Después de que…
- clause: use subjunctive if the action is pending/future (después de que salgamos del trabajo), indicative if it’s past/habitual (después de que salimos del trabajo in some varieties; many speakers still prefer subjunctive for future/pending).
What does un rato mean exactly? How is it different from un momento or un tiempo?
- un rato = “a while” (unspecified but not very long)
- un momento = “a moment” (shorter)
- un tiempo isn’t used for “a while” in this context; you’d say un rato or un poco de tiempo depending on nuance.
Is por un rato okay here?
In Spain, the most idiomatic choice is simply un rato without por. Por un rato is more typical in parts of Latin America; in Spain it can sound non-peninsular.
Why is it y quedar un rato and not y quedemos un rato?
Because both vernos and quedar are infinitives governed by podamos:
- Tal vez podamos [vernos … y quedar un rato]. If you used quedemos, you’d be starting a new clause and would typically need que: … y que quedemos un rato, which is less natural here.
Can I move después del trabajo elsewhere in the sentence?
Yes. Word order is flexible:
- Tal vez podamos vernos y quedar un rato después del trabajo.
- Después del trabajo, tal vez podamos vernos y quedar un rato. Meaning doesn’t change.
Could I use podríamos instead of podamos?
Yes: Tal vez podríamos vernos… sounds like a polite, soft suggestion (“maybe we could…”). It’s very natural in invitations.
What are common alternatives to tal vez in Spain, and what mood do they take?
- Quizá/Quizás: indicative or subjunctive (subjunctive = more tentative).
- A lo mejor: indicative only. Example: A lo mejor nos vemos…
- Igual (colloquial): indicative only. Igual nos vemos…
- Puede que: subjunctive only. Puede que nos veamos…
- Lo mismo (colloquial/regional): indicative. Lo mismo nos vemos…
Is Tal vez que podamos… correct?
No. Don’t add que after tal vez. Use tal vez + indicative/subjunctive directly. If you want que, use Puede que + subjunctive.
Does después del trabajo mean after my work or your work?
It’s intentionally general: “after work” (after the workday). Context clarifies whose work. To be precise, you could say después de salir del trabajo, después de mi trabajo, etc.
Could I just say Nos vemos después del trabajo?
Yes, but it changes the tone. Nos vemos después del trabajo states a plan (“See you after work”), not a tentative suggestion. Use it when you’re confirming rather than proposing.