Subjuntivo + relative pronoun or adverb + subjuntivo = whatever/wherever/whenever/whoever

Question 1

when we want to say whatever, wherever, whenever and whoever.

Answer 1

We often use the subjunctive

A common structure for this repeats the same verb in the subjunctive, around a relative pronoun or adverb.

Bear in mind that in these cases the relative pronouns/adverbs do not have a written accent:

sea donde sea
sea dónde sea

venga quien venga
venga quién venga

Different tenses in the subjunctive can be used, depending on whether the action takes place in the present/future or the past.

If we are referring to something in particular, we can also use el que, la que, los que, las que, with the same meaning as cual but it has a less formal register.

pase lo que pase [whatever is happening now]
or could also be referring to the future

pase lo que pase [whatever happens in the future]

Question 2

Whatever

Answer 2

subjunctive + lo que + subjunctive

Question 3

Whatever

Answer 3

subjunctive + lo que + subjunctive

Question 4

For whatever, (and whichever if we are more specific) we can also use:

Answer 4

subjunctive + cual/cuales + subjunctive

Question 5

However

Answer 5

subjunctive + como + subjunctive

Question 6

Wherever

Answer 6

subjunctive + donde + subjunctive

Question 7

Whenever

Answer 7

subjunctive + cuando + subjunctive

Question 8

Whoever

Answer 8

subjunctive + quien + subjunctive

Question 9

You’ll have to accept the truth, whatever that might be.

Answer 9

Tendrás que aceptar la verdad, sea lo que sea.

Question 10

No matter what you wear (whatever it is), you always look very pretty.

Answer 10

Te pongas lo que te pongas, siempre estás guapísima.

Question 11

Don’t pay any attention to Ramiro, no matter what he says.

Answer 11

No le hagas caso a Ramiro, diga lo que diga.

Question 12

Whatever it is that happened at that party, I prefer not to know.

Answer 12

Pasara lo que pasara en esa fiesta, prefiero no enterarme de nada.

Question 13

I’ll accept his proposal, whatever conditions he sets.

Answer 13

Diré que sí a su propuesta, sean cuales sean sus condiciones.

Question 14

There you have two ties; whichever it is you choose, it’ll go well with the blue shirt.

Answer 14

Ahí tienes dos corbatas; escojas cual escojas, te quedará bien con la camisa azul.

Question 15

Whichever [tie] you choose, it’ll go well.

Answer 15

Escojas la que escojas, te quedará bien.

Question 16

You’ll benefit whichever you buy.

Answer 16

Saldrás ganando compres el que compres.

Question 17

I said I’m not buying you the bike however much you insist/ no matter what.

Answer 17

He dicho que no te voy a comprar la bici te pongas como te pongas.

Question 18

Javier said he’d manage however he had to/no matter what.

Answer 18

Javier dijo que lo conseguiría fuera como fuera.

Question 19

It’s going to be a very special anniversary celebration, wherever we celebrate it.

Answer 19

Va a ser una fiesta de aniversario muy especial, lo celebremos donde lo celebremos.

Question 20

Taxes must be paid, wherever you live/no matter where you live.

Answer 20

Los impuestos hay que pagarlos, vivas donde vivas.

Question 21

Call us, whenever you get there, even if it is very late.

Answer 21

Llámennos, lleguen cuando lleguen, no importa si es muy tarde.

Question 22

I’ll keep an eye on the events and will tell you about it whenever it happens/no matter when it happens.

Answer 22

Estaré pendiente de los acontecimientos y te lo comunicaré pase cuando pase.

Question 23

It doesn’t matter who it was that told you, I wouldn’t pay attention to those rumours.

Answer 23

Te lo haya dicho quien te lo haya dicho, yo no haría caso a esos rumores.

Question 24

Whoever it is that sent me flowers, he must be a romantic.

Answer 24

Sea quien sea el que me ha mandado flores, debe ser un romántico.

Question 25

Whatever happens/is happening at the party, I prefer not to know.

Answer 25

Pase lo que pase en la fiesta, prefiero no enterarme de nada.

Question 26

Whatever it is that happened at that party, I prefer not to know.

Answer 26

Pasara lo que pasara en esa fiesta, prefiero no enterarme de nada.

Here the speaker is referring to the past:

Question 27

I’ll keep an eye on the events and will tell you about it whenever it happens/no matter when it happens.

Answer 27

Estaré pendiente de los acontecimientos y te lo comunicaré pase cuando pase.