Everyday commands and requests
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
(decir) que sí si quieres venir con nosotros.
Say yes if you want to come with us.
The rule
Spanish has a full command system with its own lesson later in the course; here you learn only the affirmative tú and usted forms, which cover most of what you hear and say. Negative commands ("don't ...") use a different verb form and wait for that later lesson.
The pattern
For an affirmative tú command, use the same form as the third-person present (él/ella): hablar becomes habla, comer becomes come, escribir becomes escribe. Espera. (Wait.) Mira. (Look.)
Eight common verbs have short irregular tú commands:
| Verb | Command |
|---|---|
| decir | di |
| hacer | haz |
| ir | ve |
| poner | pon |
| salir | sal |
| ser | sé |
| tener | ten |
| venir | ven |
For usted, the ending swaps its vowel: -ar verbs take -e (hable, espere), -er and -ir verbs take -a (coma, escriba). You will hear these constantly in shops, taxis, and offices: Pase. (Come in.) Siga derecho. (Go straight ahead.)
Pronouns attach to the end of an affirmative command: dime (tell me). How that works in general has its own lesson soon; for now learn dime and pásame as words.
A question is often the most natural request: ¿Me pasas la sal? (Can you pass me the salt?) Adding por favor softens any command.
Examples
- Espera un momento.Wait a moment.
- Mira esto.Look at this.
- Ven aquí.Come here.
- Pon la mesa.Set the table.
- Dime.Tell me.
- Pase, por favor.Come in, please.
- Siga derecho.Go straight ahead.
- ¿Me pasas el agua?Can you pass me the water?
Watch out
- Viene aquí. Ven aquí.Venir has an irregular tú command; viene is the ordinary present ("he comes").
- Hace la tarea ahora. Haz la tarea ahora.Hacer's tú command is haz.
- No habla tan rápido. No hables tan rápido.A negative command changes the ending; the full pattern is in the imperative lesson later. Until then, recognise no + a changed ending as "don't."