The Spanish Imperative Mood is one of the most practical aspects of Spanish you’ll encounter. Whether you’re asking someone to pass the salt or directing a group of friends, mastering this grammatical form will make you sound more natural and confident in Spanish.
What You Need to Know
When using the imperative mood, you’re essentially giving commands or making requests. Your relationship with the person you’re speaking to determines which form to use – informal (tú), formal (usted), or group settings (ustedes/vosotros).
Forming Commands
Informal (tú) Commands
For positive commands:
- For -ar verbs: Remove -ar, add -a
- hablar → habla (speak)
- mirar → mira (look)
- bailar → baila (dance)
- cantar → canta (sing)
- estudiar → estudia (study)
- For -er/-ir verbs: Remove -er/-ir, add -e
- comer → come (eat)
- beber → bebe (drink)
- escribir → escribe (write)
- vivir → vive (live)
- abrir → abre (open)
Formal (usted) Commands
- For -ar verbs: Remove -ar, add -e
- hablar → hable (speak)
- esperar → espere (wait)
- entrar → entre (enter)
- pasar → pase (pass)
- llamar → llame (call)
- For -er/-ir verbs: Remove -er/-ir, add -a
- comer → coma (eat)
- correr → corra (run)
- escribir → escriba (write)
- subir → suba (go up)
- decidir → decida (decide)
Group Commands
For ustedes:
- For all verbs: Add -en/-an
- hablar → hablen (speak)
- escuchar → escuchen (listen)
- leer → lean (read)
- escribir → escriban (write)
- venir → vengan (come)
Negative Commands
To make any command negative, place “no” before the verb and use these forms:
- Tú: No hables (Don’t speak)
- Usted: No hable (Don’t speak)
- Ustedes: No hablen (Don’t speak)
Real-Life Examples
In a Restaurant
- “Tráigame la cuenta, por favor.” (Bring me the check, please) [formal]
- “Pásame la sal.” (Pass me the salt) [informal]
At Home
- “No toques eso.” (Don’t touch that) [informal]
- “Cierre la puerta.” (Close the door) [formal]
With Friends
- “¡Escuchen todos!” (Everyone listen!) [group]
- “Vengan a mi casa.” (Come to my house) [group]
Special Cases
Some common irregular commands you’ll use frequently:
- ir (to go) → ve (go)
- decir (to say) → di (say)
- hacer (to do) → haz (do)
- poner (to put) → pon (put)
- salir (to leave) → sal (leave)
- ser (to be) → sé (be)
- tener (to have) → ten (have)
The Spanish Imperative Mood might seem complex at first, but with these guidelines, you’ll be giving commands like a native speaker in no time. Remember, context is key – what works with friends might not be appropriate in formal situations.