Breakdown of Es terrible que el requisito no sea claro.
ser
to be
no
no, not
que
that / than
claro
clear (obvious, transparent)
terrible
terrible / awful
el requisito
the requirement
Questions & Answers about Es terrible que el requisito no sea claro.
Why do we use the subjunctive (sea) here instead of the normal present tense (es)?
The phrase es terrible que expresses a strong opinion or emotion. In Spanish, when you use a phrase like "It is [adjective] that..." to judge or react to a situation, it triggers the subjunctive in the second part of the sentence.
Where does the word sea come from?
Why do we use ser (sea) here instead of estar (esté) with the word claro?
We use ser because being "clear" (or unclear) is an inherent characteristic of this requirement. If a rule is poorly written, that lack of clarity is a permanent feature of the text, rather than a temporary state.
Is requisito a false friend for the English word "requisite"?
Not exactly a false friend, but it is used much more often! While in English we usually say "requirement," Spanish uses requisito for all kinds of everyday requirements, like the paperwork needed for a visa or the skills required for a job.
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