Descanse usted y que le vaya bien esta tarde.

Rest (sir/ma’am) and I hope your afternoon goes well.

Breakdown of Descanse usted y que le vaya bien esta tarde.

• ir: to go
• y: and
• descansar: to rest
• que: that

Questions & Answers about Descanse usted y que le vaya bien esta tarde.

What verb form is in bold in Descanse?

It’s the formal affirmative command (imperative) for usted, which uses the present subjunctive: (usted) descanse. Related forms:

• tú: descansa
• vosotros: descansad
• ustedes: descansen Negative formal command: no descanse.

Do I have to include usted after Descanse?

No. Descanse already signals formality. Adding usted (as in Descanse usted) adds emphasis, clarity, or contrast. You can also front it: Usted descanse, which is more emphatic.

How would I say this informally or to several people in Spain?

• To a friend (tú): Descansa y que te vaya bien esta tarde.
• To several friends (vosotros, Spain): Descansad y que os vaya bien esta tarde.
• To several people formally (ustedes): Descansen y que les vaya bien esta tarde. Note: It’s always vaya in que … vaya bien, even with plural recipients, because the implied subject is “things/it,” not “you.” Hence: que os vaya/les vaya, not “vayáis/vayan.”

Why is it le in que le vaya bien?