Introduction
Learning to give commands in Spanish opens up a whole new dimension of communication. The imperative mood allows you to tell someone what to do, offer friendly advice, give directions, or share instructions. Whether you’re asking a friend to pass the salt or telling someone how to get to the nearest subway station, mastering Spanish commands will make your conversations feel more natural and confident.
What Is the Imperative Mood?
The imperativo is the verb form used to give direct commands, instructions, or requests. Unlike other verb moods that describe or question, the imperativo tells someone to do something. In English, we use the base form of the verb: Sit down, Close the door, Listen carefully. Spanish works similarly but with more variations depending on who you’re talking to and whether your command is affirmative or negative.
Spanish commands change based on formality and number. You’ll use different forms when speaking to a friend versus a stranger, or when addressing one person versus a group. This might seem complicated at first, but once you understand the patterns, it becomes second nature.
Understanding Tú Commands
Affirmative Tú Commands
When giving a command to someone you address as tú (informal you), the affirmative command form is surprisingly simple for regular verbs. Take the tú form of the present tense and drop the final s.
For hablar (to speak):
Present tense tú form: hablas
Affirmative command: habla (speak)
For comer (to eat):
Present tense tú form: comes
Affirmative command: come (eat)
For escribir (to write):
Present tense tú form: escribes
Affirmative command: escribe (write)
Here are some practical examples you might use every day:
Habla más despacio (Speak more slowly)
Come las verduras (Eat your vegetables)
Escribe tu nombre aquí (Write your name here)
Irregular Affirmative Tú Commands
Eight common verbs have irregular affirmative tú commands that you’ll need to memorize. Think of them as the essential eight:
Decir (to say/tell): di
Hacer (to do/make): haz
Ir (to go): ve
Poner (to put): pon
Salir (to leave/go out): sal
Ser (to be): sé
Tener (to have): ten
Venir (to come): ven
Notice how short and punchy these commands are. They’re used constantly in everyday Spanish:
Di la verdad (Tell the truth)
Haz tu tarea (Do your homework)
Ve a la tienda (Go to the store)
Pon la mesa (Set the table)
Ten paciencia (Have patience)
Negative Tú Commands
Negative commands follow a completely different pattern. Instead of using the present tense, you use the present subjunctive form. To form the present subjunctive for tú, take the yo form of the present tense, drop the o, and add es for -ar verbs or as for -er and -ir verbs. Then place no in front.
For hablar:
Yo form: hablo → habl- → hables
Negative command: No hables (Don’t speak)
For comer:
Yo form: como → com- → comas
Negative command: No comas (Don’t eat)
For escribir:
Yo form: escribo → escrib- → escribas
Negative command: No escribas (Don’t write)
Common negative commands you’ll hear:
No hables tan rápido (Don’t speak so fast)
No comas con la boca abierta (Don’t eat with your mouth open)
No escribas en la pared (Don’t write on the wall)
Usted and Ustedes Commands
Formal Commands with Usted
When speaking to someone you address formally as usted, both affirmative and negative commands use the subjunctive form. This means you use the same form whether the command is positive or negative, just adding no for the negative.
For regular verbs, take the yo form of the present tense, drop the o, and add e for -ar verbs or a for -er and -ir verbs.
For hablar:
Affirmative: Hable (Speak)
Negative: No hable (Don’t speak)
For comer:
Affirmative: Coma (Eat)
Negative: No coma (Don’t eat)
You’ll use these forms when speaking to strangers, elders, or in professional settings:
Hable con el gerente (Speak with the manager)
Coma despacio (Eat slowly)
No fume aquí (Don’t smoke here)
Plural Commands with Ustedes
In Latin America, ustedes is used for all plural commands, both formal and informal. In Spain, vosotros is used for informal plural, but we’ll focus on ustedes since it’s more universally applicable.
For ustedes commands, add n to the usted command form:
For hablar:
Affirmative: Hablen (Speak – you all)
Negative: No hablen (Don’t speak – you all)
For comer:
Affirmative: Coman (Eat – you all)
Negative: No coman (Don’t eat – you all)
Examples in context:
Hablen en voz baja (Speak quietly)
Coman sus vegetales (Eat your vegetables)
No corran en el pasillo (Don’t run in the hallway)
Commands with Pronouns
One tricky aspect of Spanish commands is where to place object pronouns like me, te, lo, la, nos, los, and las.
Affirmative Commands with Pronouns
With affirmative commands, attach the pronoun directly to the end of the verb, creating one word. You may need to add an accent mark to maintain the original stress:
Dime (Tell me) – from decir + me
Cómelo (Eat it) – from comer + lo
Escríbela (Write it) – from escribir + la
Tráemelo (Bring it to me) – from traer + me + lo
Notice how the accent mark preserves the stress on the correct syllable in cómelo and escríbela.
Negative Commands with Pronouns
With negative commands, the pronoun goes before the verb, separated:
No me digas (Don’t tell me)
No lo comas (Don’t eat it)
No la escribas (Don’t write it)
No me lo traigas (Don’t bring it to me)
This placement rule applies to all command forms, whether tú, usted, or ustedes.
Reflexive Verbs in Commands
Reflexive verbs like levantarse (to get up), sentarse (to sit down), and vestirse (to get dressed) follow the same pronoun placement rules.
Affirmative tú commands:
Levántate (Get up)
Siéntate (Sit down)
Vístete (Get dressed)
Negative tú commands:
No te levantes (Don’t get up)
No te sientes (Don’t sit down)
No te vistas (Don’t get dressed)
For usted commands:
Levántese (Get up – formal)
No se levante (Don’t get up – formal)
Softening Commands
Direct commands can sometimes sound harsh. Spanish speakers often soften them to sound more polite:
Add por favor (please):
Cierra la puerta, por favor (Close the door, please)
Use the conditional:
¿Podrías cerrar la puerta? (Could you close the door?)
Frame it as a question:
¿Cierras la puerta? (Will you close the door?)
Use favor de plus infinitive:
Favor de cerrar la puerta (Please close the door)
Common Command Phrases
Here are essential command phrases you’ll use frequently:
Espera un momento (Wait a moment)
Dame un minuto (Give me a minute)
Pásame la sal (Pass me the salt)
Ayúdame con esto (Help me with this)
Déjame en paz (Leave me alone)
Hazme un favor (Do me a favor)
Ten cuidado (Be careful)
Ven acá (Come here)
Sal de ahí (Get out of there)
Dime qué pasó (Tell me what happened)
Cultural Notes on Using Commands
In Spanish-speaking cultures, the use of direct commands varies by region and relationship. In general, commands are used more freely among family and close friends. In professional or formal settings, people tend to use questions or the conditional mood to sound less abrupt.
Parents and teachers use commands regularly with children, which is considered normal and appropriate. Among peers, commands mixed with affectionate language are common and don’t sound rude. However, using commands with strangers or superiors without softening language can come across as impolite.
Regional differences also matter. In some countries, people use more indirect language as a sign of respect, while in others, direct communication is valued and commands are used more openly without offense.
Practice Strategies
To master Spanish commands, try these effective learning strategies:
Start by memorizing the eight irregular tú commands since they appear constantly in conversation. Create flashcards or use them in sentences you might actually say.
Practice with daily routines. When you wake up, think of commands related to getting ready: Levántate, báñate, vístete, desayuna. This connects grammar to real life.
Listen to native speakers giving instructions in cooking videos, exercise routines, or tutorial content. Notice how they use commands naturally and which softening phrases they add.
Write out recipe instructions in Spanish, converting infinitives to command forms. This gives you practical, repeatable practice with a clear structure.
Role-play scenarios where commands are natural: giving directions, teaching someone a skill, or organizing a group activity. This builds confidence in real communication situations.
Conclusion
The Spanish imperative mood is an essential tool for clear, direct communication. While the different forms for tú, usted, and ustedes might seem overwhelming at first, they follow logical patterns that become automatic with practice. Remember that affirmative tú commands use one form while negative commands and all formal commands use the subjunctive. Master the irregular forms, learn where to place pronouns, and don’t be afraid to soften your commands when politeness matters. With consistent practice, you’ll soon be giving instructions, offering advice, and navigating Spanish conversations with confidence and natural fluency.
