# Que + subjunctive: orders for third parties

> id: grammar.subjunctive.indirect-commands · category: grammar · depth: standard · levels: B2 · review: internally_reviewed

**Summary.** Que pase, que lo haga él, que te vaya bien: a bare que + subjunctive issues commands and wishes aimed at someone not present in the dialogue.

A clause beginning with a bare que + subjunctive issues a command, wish, or instruction aimed at someone who isn't the person you're addressing — an understood 'let / have / may': que pase ('let him come in'), que lo haga él ('let him do it'), que decida ella.

The structure drops an implied main verb (quiero/digo que…): que entre el siguiente, que esperen un momento. It's how Spanish relays an order to a third party through the listener.

It also powers a whole set of everyday wish formulas: que te vaya bien, que descanses, que aproveche ('enjoy your meal'), que cumplas muchos más ('happy birthday'), que en paz descanse. Reported commands use the same shape: dice que vengas ('he says you should come').

## Examples
- Que pase, por favor. — Send him in, please.
- ¡Que tengas buen viaje! — Have a good trip!
- Que pase el siguiente y que traiga su documento. — Let the next person come in, and have them bring their ID.

Related: grammar.subjunctive.wishes-requests, conjugation.imperative.usted-ustedes

License: CC BY-SA 4.0 — Spanish Rules Library — spanishruleslibrary.com