Spanish Phrase
Pide una decisión rápida si puedes.
Meaning
‘Ask for a quick decision if you can.’ The speaker is urging the listener to obtain a prompt answer, but acknowledges that it may depend on the listener’s ability or circumstances.
When to use
Use this phrase in business meetings, project discussions, or any situation where a timely decision is crucial—e.g., when deadlines are tight or when you need to move forward quickly.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Pideunadecisiónrápidasipuedes
Imperative (tú) of pedir
For regular -ir verbs, drop the -r and add -e for the affirmative tú command: pedir → pide.
Noun + adjective order
In Spanish, most adjectives follow the noun; here ‘rápida’ modifies ‘decisión’ and comes after it.
Conditional clause with si + present indicative
‘si puedes’ uses the present indicative to express a condition that is possible or likely.
Indefinite article agreement
‘una’ matches the feminine noun ‘decisión’; never use ‘un’ here.
🗨In Conversation
Necesitamos cerrar el contrato hoy. ¿Puedes acelerar el proceso?
We need to close the contract today. Can you speed up the process?
Pide una decisión rápida si puedes, pero avísame si hay algún obstáculo.
Ask for a quick decision if you can, but let me know if there’s any obstacle.
✕Common Mistakes
Pides una decisión rápida si puedes.
The affirmative tú command drops the -s; use ‘pide’ not ‘pides’.
Pide un decisión rápida si puedes.
‘Decisión’ is feminine; the article must be ‘una’.
Pide una decisión rápido si puedes.
The adjective must agree in gender with ‘decisión’; use ‘rápida’.
Pide una decisión rápida si puedes?
In a conditional clause you don’t need a question mark; it’s a statement, not a question.
↔Alternatives
Solicita una decisión rápida, si es posible.
Request a quick decision, if possible.
Pide que decidan pronto, si puedes.
Ask them to decide soon, if you can.
Exige una respuesta veloz, siempre que puedas.
Demand a swift response, as long as you can.
Cultural Tip
Direct imperatives can sound strong in many Spanish‑speaking cultures. Adding ‘por favor’ or softening with ‘¿Podrías…?’ makes the request more polite. Also, note that ‘rápida’ follows the noun, which is the usual order unless you want to emphasize speed, in which case you could place the adjective before the noun: ‘una rápida decisión.’