The imperative, giving commands
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
Commands use special verb forms that change depending on who you are talking to and whether the command is positive or negative. You met the affirmative tú and usted forms in the everyday-commands lesson; this lesson completes the system, above all negative commands. You will use these constantly in conversation, and they show up everywhere in signs, instructions, and recipes.
The pattern
For an affirmative tú command, use the same form as the third-person present tense (él/ella).
| Verb | Affirmative tú | Negative tú |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | habla | no hables |
| comer | come | no comas |
| escribir | escribe | no escribas |
Negative tú commands use no + present subjunctive, the form the next lesson covers.
For usted, use the present subjunctive for both affirmative and negative commands.
| Verb | Affirmative usted | Negative usted |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | hable | no hable |
| comer | coma | no coma |
| escribir | escriba | no escriba |
Eight common verbs have irregular affirmative tú forms:
| Verb | Command |
|---|---|
| decir | di |
| hacer | haz |
| ir | ve |
| poner | pon |
| salir | sal |
| ser | sé |
| tener | ten |
| venir | ven |
Object pronouns attach to the end of affirmative commands: dime, dímelo, siéntate. They go before negative commands: no me lo digas, no te sientes. Attaching a pronoun does not move the spoken stress, but it often makes a written accent necessary: dime needs none, but dígame and dímelo do.
Examples
- Ven aquí.Come here.
- Haz la tarea ahora.Do the homework now.
- No hables tan rápido.Don't speak so fast.
- No te vayas todavía.Don't leave yet.
- Hable más despacio, por favor.Speak more slowly, please.
- No coma aquí.Don't eat here.
- Dime la verdad.Tell me the truth.
- Siéntese, por favor.Sit down, please.
Watch out
- No habla tan rápido. No hables tan rápido.Negative tú commands need the subjunctive, not the regular present form.
- Viene aquí. Ven aquí.Venir has an irregular tú command form.
- No dígame la respuesta. No me diga la respuesta.In negative commands, pronouns go before the verb.
- Dime lo. Dímelo.Pronouns attach directly to affirmative commands with no space, and an accent keeps the stress on di.