Spanish command rules and examples for everyday instructions

Introduction

Spanish commands are essential for everyday interactions: giving directions, asking someone to pass something, or telling a child to be quiet. This article explains how to form and use Spanish commands clearly, with step-by-step grammar rules and natural examples for beginners to intermediate learners.

Overview: types of commands

Spanish has three main command forms depending on who you address and whether the command is affirmative or negative. The three forms are: informal singular, formal singular/plural, and informal plural in Spain. Each has different conjugation rules and common irregular verbs. Understanding these types helps you choose the right form in conversations.

Informal singular: tú commands

Use the informal singular for friends, family, and people you address as tú. There are two different patterns: affirmative and negative.

Affirmative tú commands usually use the third-person singular present indicative form. This is often easy because it looks like el/ella form. For example, the verb hablar becomes habla for affirmative command:
Habla más despacio.

Negative tú commands use the present subjunctive. Take the yo form, drop the -o, and add the opposite vowel endings. For -ar verbs use -es, for -er/-ir verbs use -as. For example, hablar (yo hablo) becomes no hables:
No hables tan rápido.

Formal commands: usted and ustedes

Formal commands use the present subjunctive for both positive and negative forms. For usted use the third-person singular subjunctive; for ustedes use the third-person plural subjunctive. These forms are polite or required in formal settings.

Example with comer:
Coma más fruta, señor. (usted)
No coman tanta azúcar. (ustedes)

Informal plural: vosotros commands (Spain)

In Spain, the informal plural vosotros has its own forms. Affirmative vosotros commands use the infinitive minus -r plus -d. For example, hablar becomes hablad. Negative vosotros commands use the present subjunctive plural: no habléis.

In Latin America, people usually use ustedes instead of vosotros for plural informal situations.

How to form commands step by step

Follow these steps to form standard commands for regular verbs. We cover irregular verbs and pronoun placement next.

Step 1: Affirmative tú commands

1. Take the third-person singular present indicative (él/ella/usted) form.
2. Use that form as the affirmative tú command.

Examples:
Leer → lee → Lee el libro.
Escribir → escribe → Escribe la carta.

Step 2: Negative tú commands

1. Start from the yo form of the present indicative.
2. Drop the -o.
3. Add the opposite vowel endings: -ar verbs get -es, -er/-ir verbs get -as.
4. Add no before the verb.

Examples:
Hablar (yo hablo) → no hables.
Escribir (yo escribo) → no escribas.

Step 3: Usted and ustedes commands

1. Start from the yo form.
2. Drop the -o.
3. Add the opposite vowel endings: for usted add -e for -ar verbs and -a for -er/-ir verbs; for ustedes add -en or -an respectively.
4. Use the same form for affirmative and negative, adding no for negative.

Examples:
Comprar (yo compro) → compra → Compre usted.
Comprar → compren → Compren ustedes.
No compre. No compren.

Step 4: Vosotros affirmative and negative

Affirmative: use the infinitive minus -r plus -d. Negative: use present subjunctive vosotros.

Examples:
Hablar → Hablad.
No habléis.

Irregular commands you must memorize

Some common verbs have irregular affirmative tú commands that do not follow the standard rule. These are frequent in daily speech and worth memorizing.

Important irregular affirmative tú commands:
ir → ve
ser → sé
tener → ten
venir → ven
poner → pon
salir → sal
hacer → haz
decir → di

Negative tú commands for these verbs follow the subjunctive pattern and are regular in that pattern: no vayas, no seas, no tengas, no vengas, no pongas, no salgas, no hagas, no digas.

Spelling changes and stem changes

Verbs that change spelling in the yo form or have stem changes often keep those changes in commands. For example, verbs ending in -car, -gar, -zar need spelling adjustments in negative tú and all subjunctive forms to preserve pronunciation:
buscar → yo busco → no busques.
llegar → yo llego → no llegues.
empezar → yo empiezo → no empieces.

Stem-changing verbs in the present indicative may show similar stem changes in the subjunctive and imperative. For example, pedir becomes pide (affirmative tú) and no pidas (negative tú). Dormir becomes duerme and no dormas.

Pronoun placement with commands

One of the trickiest parts of Spanish commands is where to put object and reflexive pronouns. The rules differ for affirmative and negative commands.

Affirmative commands: attach pronouns

Attach pronouns to the end of affirmative commands. With one verb, just add the pronoun directly. If the verb is a multi-word command or uses accents for syllable stress, you may need to add an accent to keep the original stress pattern.

Examples:
Pásame la sal → pásame.
Dímelo → dime + lo = dímelo.
Siéntate → siéntate (reflexive).

Note where accents go: decir → di, but tell me it becomes dímelo with an accent to preserve stress.

Negative commands: pronouns before the verb

For negative commands put pronouns before the verb and after no. Do not attach them to the verb. This rule applies to negative tú, negative usted, negative ustedes, and negative vosotros.

Examples:
No me lo des.
No te preocupes.
No se lo diga.

Common everyday command examples

Here are practical commands you will use in daily life, with both affirmative and negative forms where relevant.

Household and daily routines

Haz la cama.
No olvides las llaves.
Lava los platos.
No uses el teléfono ahora.

Directions and helping someone

Ve derecho.
Gira a la izquierda.
Pasa la sal.
No cruces la calle aquí.

Driving and transportation

Pon el cinturón.
Maneja con cuidado.
No aceleres.
Deténgase aquí, por favor. (usted)

In a classroom or workplace

Escucha con atención.
Escribe tu nombre.
No copies.
Siéntense, por favor. (ustedes)

Politeness and softening commands

Direct commands can sound rude in some situations. Use usted or ustedes for politeness, add por favor, or use the present subjunctive with querrías or podrías for very soft requests.

Examples:
¿Podrías ayudarme? is softer than Ayúdame.
Por favor, cierre la puerta, señor. (formal)
¿Me pasas la sal, por favor? is casual with tú.

Using nosotros commands

To include yourself and others use the nosotros command form (first person plural subjunctive). It is useful for suggestions and invitations.

Examples:
Vamos a comer becomes Vayamos a comer for a suggestion.
No nos vayamos todavía means do not leave yet.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Here are pitfalls learners often encounter and how to correct them.

Mixing affirmative tú with negative tú rules. Remember affirmative tú uses the él/ella form, negative uses the subjunctive.
Incorrect: no habla. Correct: no hables.

Pronoun placement errors. Attach pronouns only to affirmative commands and place them before negative verbs.
Incorrect: no dámelo. Correct: no me lo des.

Forgetting irregulars. Memorize common irregular affirmative tú commands and subjunctive irregulars for formal commands.

Usage notes and cultural context

Formal vs informal choice depends on region and relationship. In Latin America, usted often shows respect and is used more widely than in Spain. In Spain, tú and vosotros are more common in casual settings. Observe how native speakers address people in workplaces, shops, and public services and mirror that level of formality.

Commands are common in recipes, instructions, and signage. Recipes often use the affirmative tú or nosotros casually:
Pica la cebolla.
Calienta el aceite.

Quick reference conjugation examples

Regular verbs: hablar, comer, escribir.
Affirmative tú: Habla, Come, Escribe.
Negative tú: no hables, no comas, no escribas.
Usted: Hable, Coma, Escriba.
Ustedes: Hablen, Coman, Escriban.

Conclusion

Mastering Spanish commands opens up everyday communication and makes interactions clearer and more natural. Learn the patterns: affirmative tú from él/ella form, negative tú using the subjunctive, usted/ustedes using subjunctive forms, and vosotros special rules in Spain. Pay close attention to pronoun placement and irregular verbs, and choose formality based on context. With practice you will use commands confidently in real-life situations.