Are you ready to master the art of saying “don’t” in Spanish? Let’s dive into the world of Spanish negative commands, also known as “imperativo negativo.” These commands are essential for expressing prohibitions, offering advice, or making requests in a clear and polite way.
What Are Negative Commands?
In Spanish, negative commands are used to tell someone not to do something. They’re your go-to tool for expressing actions that are prohibited, discouraged, or simply not wanted.
How to Form Negative Commands
The secret to forming negative commands lies in the subjunctive mood. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds!
- Start with “no”: Every negative command begins with the word “no.”
- Use the present subjunctive: Conjugate the verb into the present subjunctive form.
Regular Verbs: A Simple Pattern
For regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs, the pattern is straightforward:
| Person | -AR Verbs | -ER Verbs | -IR Verbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| tú (you) | no hables | no comas | no escribas |
| usted (you) | no hable | no coma | no escriba |
| nosotros (we) | no hablemos | no comamos | no escribamos |
| vosotros (you) | no habléis | no comáis | no escribáis |
| ustedes (you) | no hablen | no coman | no escriban |
Irregular Verbs: A Few Quirks
Just like in English, some Spanish verbs like to be a little different. Here are a few common irregular verbs in negative commands:
| Verb | tú | usted | nosotros | vosotros | ustedes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ir (to go) | no vayas | no vaya | no vayamos | no vayáis | no vayan |
| ser (to be) | no seas | no sea | no seamos | no seáis | no sean |
| estar (to be) | no estés | no esté | no estemos | no estéis | no estén |
Special Cases and Tips
- Pronoun Placement: In negative commands, pronouns like “me” or “lo” go before the verb.
- Spelling Changes: Some verbs have spelling changes in the subjunctive, so keep an eye out for those!
- Stem-Changing Verbs: These verbs change their stem in the subjunctive, just like they do in other tenses.
Using Negative Commands in Real Life
- Prohibitions: “No fumes aquí” (Don’t smoke here).
- Warnings: “No corras en la calle” (Don’t run in the street).
- Advice: “No te preocupes” (Don’t worry).
- Requests: “No me grites” (Don’t yell at me).
Synonyms:
- English: Negative Imperative, Prohibitive Commands, Negative Orders, Prohibitions
- Spanish: Imperativo Negativo, Mandatos Negativos, Órdenes Negativas, Prohibiciones