Spanish Imperative Explained: Commands & Conjugation Guide
Introduction to the Spanish Imperative
The Spanish imperative is a verb mood used to give commands, make requests, offer advice, or provide instructions. Unlike other verb forms that describe actions or states, the imperative directly addresses someone and tells them what to do—or what not to do.
Understanding the Spanish imperative explained in practical terms means recognizing when native speakers use it: giving directions, offering suggestions, issuing warnings, or simply asking someone to pass the salt. It's one of the most frequently used structures in everyday conversation.
The imperative exists in several forms depending on who you're addressing: informal singular (tú), formal singular (usted), informal plural (vosotros, used mainly in Spain), and formal plural (ustedes). Each requires different conjugation patterns.
Formation: Spanish Imperative Conjugation
Learning Spanish imperative conjugation requires understanding both affirmative (positive) and negative commands, as they follow different rules.
Affirmative Commands
For regular verbs, affirmative commands follow these patterns:
| Subject | -AR verbs (hablar) | -ER verbs (comer) | -IR verbs (vivir) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tú (informal) | habla | come | vive |
| Usted (formal) | hable | coma | viva |
| Nosotros (let's) | hablemos | comamos | vivamos |
| Vosotros (Spain) | hablad | comed | vivid |
| Ustedes (formal plural) | hablen | coman | vivan |
Key patterns to remember:
- Tú affirmative: Use the third-person singular present indicative (él/ella form)
- Usted/Ustedes: Use the present subjunctive forms
- Vosotros: Replace the -r of the infinitive with -d
- Nosotros: Use the present subjunctive (equivalent to "let's")
Irregular Affirmative Tú Commands
Eight common verbs have irregular tú affirmative forms:
| Infinitive | Tú Command | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| decir | di | say/tell |
| hacer | haz | do/make |
| ir | ve | go |
| poner | pon | put |
| salir | sal | leave/go out |
| ser | sé | be |
| tener | ten | have |
| venir | ven | come |
Negative Commands
All negative commands use the present subjunctive, regardless of formality:
| Subject | -AR verbs (hablar) | -ER verbs (comer) | -IR verbs (vivir) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tú | no hables | no comas | no vivas |
| Usted | no hable | no coma | no viva |
| Nosotros | no hablemos | no comamos | no vivamos |
| Vosotros | no habléis | no comáis | no viváis |
| Ustedes | no hablen | no coman | no vivan |
Pronoun Placement
Object pronouns attach to the end of affirmative commands but precede negative commands:
- Affirmative: Dímelo (Tell it to me)
- Negative: No me lo digas (Don't tell it to me)
Usage: How to Use Imperative in Spanish
Knowing how to use imperative in Spanish effectively means understanding the contexts where commands are appropriate and the nuances of formal versus informal address.
Direct Commands and Instructions
The most straightforward use is giving orders or instructions:
- Cierra la puerta. (Close the door.)
- Escriba su nombre aquí. (Write your name here.) – formal
Requests and Polite Commands
Adding "por favor" softens commands into polite requests:
- Pásame la sal, por favor. (Pass me the salt, please.)
Advice and Suggestions
The imperative frequently offers recommendations:
- Estudia todos los días. (Study every day.)
- No te preocupes tanto. (Don't worry so much.)
Warnings
Commands alert others to danger or caution:
- ¡Cuidado! No toques eso. (Careful! Don't touch that.)
- ¡Ten cuidado con el perro! (Be careful with the dog!)
Invitations Using "Nosotros"
The nosotros form creates inclusive suggestions ("let's"):
- Vamos al cine. (Let's go to the movies.)
- Comamos algo antes de salir. (Let's eat something before leaving.)
Choosing Formal vs. Informal
Use tú commands with friends, family, children, and peers. Use usted commands with strangers, elders, authority figures, or in professional settings. When in doubt, err on the side of formality.
Spanish Imperative Examples
Here are practical Spanish imperative examples showing various contexts and conjugations:
Habla más despacio, por favor.
Speak more slowly, please. (informal)
No comas tan rápido; te vas a enfermar.
Don't eat so fast; you're going to get sick. (informal)
Señor García, firme aquí y escriba la fecha.
Mr. García, sign here and write the date. (formal)
Niños, vengan aquí inmediatamente.
Children, come here immediately. (ustedes - Latin America)
Haz la tarea antes de jugar videojuegos.
Do your homework before playing video games. (informal, irregular verb)
No le digas nada a tu hermana; es una sorpresa.
Don't tell your sister anything; it's a surprise. (informal, with pronouns)
Sentémonos aquí y esperemos un momento.
Let's sit here and wait a moment. (nosotros)
¡Sal de ahí ahora mismo!
Get out of there right now! (informal, irregular verb)
Por favor, no fumen en esta área.
Please don't smoke in this area. (formal plural)
Ten paciencia; todo va a salir bien.
Be patient; everything is going to turn out fine. (informal, irregular verb)
Common Mistakes
Even intermediate learners make these errors when using the Spanish imperative:
1. Using Infinitives Instead of Commands
English speakers sometimes use infinitives where Spanish requires conjugated imperatives.
- Incorrect: *No hablar durante el examen.
- Correct: No hablen durante el examen. (Don't talk during the exam.)
Note: Infinitives on signs (No fumar) are acceptable, but in direct speech, use conjugated forms.
2. Using Subjunctive for Affirmative Tú Commands
The tú negative uses subjunctive, but the affirmative does not.
- Incorrect: *Hables con ella.
- Correct: Habla con ella. (Talk to her.)
3. Forgetting Irregular Tú Forms
Memorize the eight irregular tú commands—using regular patterns creates errors.
- Incorrect: *Pone la mesa.
- Correct: Pon la mesa. (Set the table.)
4. Wrong Pronoun Placement
Pronouns attach to affirmative commands but precede negative ones.
- Incorrect: *No dígamelo. / *Me lo diga.
- Correct: No me lo diga. (Don't tell me.) / Dígamelo. (Tell me.)
5. Forgetting Accent Marks with Attached Pronouns
When pronouns attach, add an accent to maintain original stress.
- Incorrect: *Digame
- Correct: Dígame (Tell me.)
6. Confusing Vosotros with Ustedes
In Latin America, ustedes serves for all plural commands. In Spain, vosotros is informal and ustedes is formal. Know your audience.
- Spain informal: Venid aquí.
- Latin America/Spain formal: Vengan aquí.
7. Using Indicative for Usted/Ustedes Commands
Formal commands always use subjunctive forms, not indicative.
- Incorrect: *Usted come más verduras.
- Correct: Coma más verduras. (Eat more vegetables.)