Affirmative commands in Spanish, also known as the imperative mood, are used to give orders, instructions, or make requests. Understanding how to form these commands is crucial for effective communication in Spanish. This guide will walk you through the process of creating affirmative commands for different pronouns and verb types.
Tú Commands (Informal, Singular)
To form a tú command, follow these steps:
- Start with the present tense, third-person singular form (él/ella/usted).
- Remove the final -e for -ar and -er verbs, or the final -e for -ir verbs.
Examples:
- hablar (to speak) → habla
- comer (to eat) → come
- vivir (to live) → vive
Irregular tú commands:
- decir (to say) → di
- hacer (to do/make) → haz
- ir (to go) → ve
- poner (to put) → pon
- salir (to leave) → sal
- ser (to be) → sé
- tener (to have) → ten
- venir (to come) → ven
Usted Commands (Formal, Singular)
For usted commands, use the present subjunctive form of the verb.
Examples:
- hablar → hable
- comer → coma
- vivir → viva
Nosotros Commands (We)
Use the present subjunctive form, which is the same as the usted command but with -mos added to the end.
Examples:
- hablar → hablemos
- comer → comamos
- vivir → vivamos
Vosotros Commands (Informal, Plural – used primarily in Spain)
To form a vosotros command:
- Start with the infinitive.
- Replace the final -r with -d.
Examples:
- hablar → hablad
- comer → comed
- vivir → vivid
Ustedes Commands (Formal, Plural)
Use the present subjunctive form, which is the same as the usted command but with -n added to the end.
Examples:
- hablar → hablen
- comer → coman
- vivir → vivan
Pronouns with Commands
When using object pronouns with commands, attach them to the end of affirmative commands.
Examples:
- Dímelo (Tell it to me)
- Háganlo (Do it – ustedes)
- Démosle el libro (Let’s give him/her the book)
Remember: The placement of accent marks may change when adding pronouns to maintain proper pronunciation.
Resources
For more detailed information on verb conjugations, including regional variations, check out these resources:
- Find complete information about conjugation of affirmative commands in Latin American Spanish here.
- Find complete information about conjugation of affirmative commands in Castilian Spanish here.
Latin Americal or Castilian Spanish? Focus your Spaning learning
Castilian Spanish, spoken in Spain, uses two forms for the plural “you”:
- “Vosotros” for informal situations, like talking to friends or family.
- “Ustedes” for formal contexts, such as addressing strangers or people in positions of authority.
Latin American Spanish, on the other hand, streamlines things by using only “ustedes” for both informal and formal situations.
So, what does this mean for you as a Spanish learner?
If you’re planning to travel or interact mainly with people from Latin America, you can skip learning the “vosotros” conjugations altogether. Focus on mastering “ustedes,” and you’ll be well-equipped for most conversations.
Remember, language learning should be enjoyable and practical. By understanding these regional variations, you can tailor your studies and make the most of your time!