Mastering Spanish Formal Commands: Usted and Ustedes
Understanding how to use formal commands in Spanish is crucial for navigating professional settings, showing respect to elders, and communicating appropriately in unfamiliar situations. These commands, using usted (formal “you” singular) and ustedes (formal “you” plural), differ significantly from informal commands and require specific verb conjugations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to forming and using formal commands, complete with examples, practice exercises, and helpful tips to ensure you can confidently and accurately use them in your Spanish communication.
This guide is beneficial for Spanish learners of all levels, from beginners who want to understand the basics of politeness to advanced students who need to refine their command of formal language. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to construct and use formal commands with ease, enhancing your overall fluency and cultural competence in Spanish.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Formal Commands
- Structural Breakdown of Formal Commands
- Formation of Formal Commands
- Pronoun Placement with Formal Commands
- Examples of Formal Commands
- Usage Rules for Formal Commands
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Formal Commands
Formal commands in Spanish are used to give instructions or make requests in a polite and respectful manner. They are directed towards individuals you would address as usted (singular formal “you”) or ustedes (plural formal “you”). Unlike informal commands, which use the tú form, formal commands require the use of the subjunctive mood. This grammatical distinction signals respect and distance, making it appropriate for communicating with superiors, elders, strangers, or anyone in a formal setting.
The function of formal commands is to convey authority or request action while maintaining a level of decorum. The context in which they are used is crucial; employing informal commands in a formal situation could be considered impolite or even offensive.
Therefore, mastering formal commands is essential for effective and respectful communication in Spanish-speaking environments.
Structural Breakdown of Formal Commands
The structure of formal commands hinges on the subjunctive mood. To form a formal command, you typically start with the yo form of the verb in the present tense. Then, you drop the -o ending and add the appropriate subjunctive ending. For -ar verbs, the endings are -e (for usted) and -en (for ustedes). For -er and -ir verbs, the endings are -a (for usted) and -an (for ustedes).
The placement of pronouns with formal commands follows specific rules. With affirmative commands, reflexive, direct, and indirect object pronouns are attached to the end of the verb.
With negative commands, these pronouns precede the verb. Understanding these structural elements is key to constructing grammatically correct and polite commands.
Formation of Formal Commands
The formation of formal commands relies on the present subjunctive mood. Let’s break down the process for different verb types:
Forming Commands with -ar Verbs
To form a formal command with -ar verbs, follow these steps:
- Start with the yo form of the present tense.
- Drop the -o ending.
- Add -e for usted or -en for ustedes.
For example, with the verb hablar (to speak):
- Hablo (yo form)
- Drop the -o: Habl-
- Add the ending: Hable (usted), Hablen (ustedes)
Therefore: ¡Hable usted! (Speak!) and ¡Hablen ustedes! (Speak!).
Forming Commands with -er and -ir Verbs
To form a formal command with -er and -ir verbs, follow these steps:
- Start with the yo form of the present tense.
- Drop the -o ending.
- Add -a for usted or -an for ustedes.
For example, with the verb comer (to eat):
- Como (yo form)
- Drop the -o: Com-
- Add the ending: Coma (usted), Coman (ustedes)
Therefore: ¡Coma usted! (Eat!) and ¡Coman ustedes! (Eat!).
Similarly, with the verb vivir (to live):
- Vivo (yo form)
- Drop the -o: Viv-
- Add the ending: Viva (usted), Vivan (ustedes)
Therefore: ¡Viva usted! (Live!) and ¡Vivan ustedes! (Live!).
Irregular Formal Commands
Some verbs have irregular yo forms in the present tense, which affect the formation of the subjunctive. These irregularities must be memorized. Here are some common irregular verbs and their formal command forms:
- Dar (to give): Dé (usted), Den (ustedes)
- Estar (to be): Esté (usted), Estén (ustedes)
- Ir (to go): Vaya (usted), Vayan (ustedes)
- Saber (to know): Sepa (usted), Sepan (ustedes)
- Ser (to be): Sea (usted), Sean (ustedes)
These irregular forms are crucial to remember, as they are frequently used in everyday conversation and formal settings. Practice using them in context to solidify your understanding.
Pronoun Placement with Formal Commands
The placement of pronouns with formal commands depends on whether the command is affirmative or negative. In affirmative commands, pronouns are attached to the end of the verb.
In negative commands, pronouns precede the verb. Let’s look at some examples:
Affirmative Commands:
- ¡Dígame! (Tell me!) – The pronoun me is attached to the end of the verb diga.
- ¡Siéntense! (Sit down!) – The reflexive pronoun se is attached to the end of the verb sienten.
- ¡Escríbanos! (Write to us!) – The pronoun nos is attached to the end of the verb escriban.
Negative Commands:
- ¡No me diga! (Don’t tell me!) – The pronoun me precedes the verb diga.
- ¡No se sienten! (Don’t sit down!) – The reflexive pronoun se precedes the verb sienten.
- ¡No nos escriban! (Don’t write to us!) – The pronoun nos precedes the verb escriban.
When multiple pronouns are used, the indirect object pronoun comes before the direct object pronoun. For example:
- ¡Dígaselo! (Tell it to him/her/them!) – Se (indirect object pronoun) comes before lo (direct object pronoun).
- ¡No se lo diga! (Don’t tell it to him/her/them!) – Se comes before lo.
Examples of Formal Commands
To further illustrate the formation and usage of formal commands, let’s look at several examples categorized by verb type.
Examples with -ar Verbs
The following table provides examples of formal commands using -ar verbs. It includes both affirmative and negative forms, addressing both usted and ustedes.
| Verb | Infinitive | Usted (Affirmative) | Usted (Negative) | Ustedes (Affirmative) | Ustedes (Negative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hablar | To speak | ¡Hable! (Speak!) | ¡No hable! (Don’t speak!) | ¡Hablen! (Speak!) | ¡No hablen! (Don’t speak!) |
| Cantar | To sing | ¡Cante! (Sing!) | ¡No cante! (Don’t sing!) | ¡Canten! (Sing!) | ¡No canten! (Don’t sing!) |
| Bailar | To dance | ¡Baile! (Dance!) | ¡No baile! (Don’t dance!) | ¡Bailen! (Dance!) | ¡No bailen! (Don’t dance!) |
| Caminar | To walk | ¡Camine! (Walk!) | ¡No camine! (Don’t walk!) | ¡Caminen! (Walk!) | ¡No caminen! (Don’t walk!) |
| Estudiar | To study | ¡Estudie! (Study!) | ¡No estudie! (Don’t study!) | ¡Estudien! (Study!) | ¡No estudien! (Don’t study!) |
| Trabajar | To work | ¡Trabaje! (Work!) | ¡No trabaje! (Don’t work!) | ¡Trabajen! (Work!) | ¡No trabajen! (Don’t work!) |
| Escuchar | To listen | ¡Escuche! (Listen!) | ¡No escuche! (Don’t listen!) | ¡Escuchen! (Listen!) | ¡No escuchen! (Don’t listen!) |
| Mirar | To watch | ¡Mire! (Watch!) | ¡No mire! (Don’t watch!) | ¡Miren! (Watch!) | ¡No miren! (Don’t watch!) |
| Llamar | To call | ¡Llame! (Call!) | ¡No llame! (Don’t call!) | ¡Llamen! (Call!) | ¡No llamen! (Don’t call!) |
| Esperar | To wait | ¡Espere! (Wait!) | ¡No espere! (Don’t wait!) | ¡Esperen! (Wait!) | ¡No esperen! (Don’t wait!) |
| Ayudar | To help | ¡Ayude! (Help!) | ¡No ayude! (Don’t help!) | ¡Ayuden! (Help!) | ¡No ayuden! (Don’t help!) |
| Cocinar | To cook | ¡Cocine! (Cook!) | ¡No cocine! (Don’t cook!) | ¡Cocinen! (Cook!) | ¡No cocinen! (Don’t cook!) |
| Limpiar | To clean | ¡Limpie! (Clean!) | ¡No limpie! (Don’t clean!) | ¡Limpien! (Clean!) | ¡No limpien! (Don’t clean!) |
| Pagar | To pay | ¡Pague! (Pay!) | ¡No pague! (Don’t pay!) | ¡Paguen! (Pay!) | ¡No paguen! (Don’t pay!) |
| Tomar | To take | ¡Tome! (Take!) | ¡No tome! (Don’t take!) | ¡Tomen! (Take!) | ¡No tomen! (Don’t take!) |
| Dejar | To leave | ¡Deje! (Leave!) | ¡No deje! (Don’t leave!) | ¡Dejen! (Leave!) | ¡No dejen! (Don’t leave!) |
| Descansar | To rest | ¡Descanse! (Rest!) | ¡No descanse! (Don’t rest!) | ¡Descansen! (Rest!) | ¡No descansen! (Don’t rest!) |
| Firmar | To sign | ¡Firme! (Sign!) | ¡No firme! (Don’t sign!) | ¡Firmen! (Sign!) | ¡No firmen! (Don’t sign!) |
| Guardar | To save | ¡Guarde! (Save!) | ¡No guarde! (Don’t save!) | ¡Guarden! (Save!) | ¡No guarden! (Don’t save!) |
| Lavar | To wash | ¡Lave! (Wash!) | ¡No lave! (Don’t wash!) | ¡Laven! (Wash!) | ¡No laven! (Don’t wash!) |
Examples with -er Verbs
Here are examples of formal commands using -er verbs, including both affirmative and negative forms for usted and ustedes.
| Verb | Infinitive | Usted (Affirmative) | Usted (Negative) | Ustedes (Affirmative) | Ustedes (Negative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comer | To eat | ¡Coma! (Eat!) | ¡No coma! (Don’t eat!) | ¡Coman! (Eat!) | ¡No coman! (Don’t eat!) |
| Beber | To drink | ¡Beba! (Drink!) | ¡No beba! (Don’t drink!) | ¡Beban! (Drink!) | ¡No beban! (Don’t drink!) |
| Leer | To read | ¡Lea! (Read!) | ¡No lea! (Don’t read!) | ¡Lean! (Read!) | ¡No lean! (Don’t read!) |
| Escribir | To write | ¡Escriba! (Write!) | ¡No escriba! (Don’t write!) | ¡Escriban! (Write!) | ¡No escriban! (Don’t write!) |
| Aprender | To learn | ¡Aprenda! (Learn!) | ¡No aprenda! (Don’t learn!) | ¡Aprendan! (Learn!) | ¡No aprendan! (Don’t learn!) |
| Vender | To sell | ¡Venda! (Sell!) | ¡No venda! (Don’t sell!) | ¡Vendan! (Sell!) | ¡No vendan! (Don’t sell!) |
| Comprender | To understand | ¡Comprenda! (Understand!) | ¡No comprenda! (Don’t understand!) | ¡Comprendan! (Understand!) | ¡No comprendan! (Don’t understand!) |
| Correr | To run | ¡Corra! (Run!) | ¡No corra! (Don’t run!) | ¡Corran! (Run!) | ¡No corran! (Don’t run!) |
| Deber | To owe; should | ¡Deber! (Owe!) | ¡No deber! (Don’t owe!) | ¡Deban! (Owe!) | ¡No deban! (Don’t owe!) |
| Hacer | To do; to make | ¡Haga! (Do/Make!) | ¡No haga! (Don’t do/make!) | ¡Hagan! (Do/Make!) | ¡No hagan! (Don’t do/make!) |
| Meter | To put in | ¡Meta! (Put in!) | ¡No meta! (Don’t put in!) | ¡Metan! (Put in!) | ¡No metan! (Don’t put in!) |
| Ofrecer | To offer | ¡Ofrezca! (Offer!) | ¡No ofrezca! (Don’t offer!) | ¡Ofrezcan! (Offer!) | ¡No ofrezcan! (Don’t offer!) |
| Perder | To lose | ¡Pierda! (Lose!) | ¡No pierda! (Don’t lose!) | ¡Pierdan! (Lose!) | ¡No pierdan! (Don’t lose!) |
| Romper | To break | ¡Rompa! (Break!) | ¡No rompa! (Don’t break!) | ¡Rompan! (Break!) | ¡No rompan! (Don’t break!) |
| Toser | To cough | ¡Tosa! (Cough!) | ¡No tosa! (Don’t cough!) | ¡Tosan! (Cough!) | ¡No tosan! (Don’t cough!) |
| Absorber | To absorb | ¡Absorba! (Absorb!) | ¡No absorba! (Don’t absorb!) | ¡Absorban! (Absorb!) | ¡No absorban! (Don’t absorb!) |
| Convencer | To convince | ¡Convenza! (Convince!) | ¡No convenza! (Don’t convince!) | ¡Convenzan! (Convince!) | ¡No convenzan! (Don’t convince!) |
| Proteger | To protect | ¡Proteja! (Protect!) | ¡No proteja! (Don’t protect!) | ¡Protejan! (Protect!) | ¡No protejan! (Don’t protect!) |
| Resolver | To resolve | ¡Resuelva! (Resolve!) | ¡No resuelva! (Don’t resolve!) | ¡Resuelvan! (Resolve!) | ¡No resuelvan! (Don’t resolve!) |
| Suponer | To suppose | ¡Suponga! (Suppose!) | ¡No suponga! (Don’t suppose!) | ¡Supongan! (Suppose!) | ¡No supongan! (Don’t suppose!) |
Examples with -ir Verbs
The following table provides examples of formal commands using -ir verbs. It includes both affirmative and negative forms, addressing both usted and ustedes.
| Verb | Infinitive | Usted (Affirmative) | Usted (Negative) | Ustedes (Affirmative) | Ustedes (Negative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivir | To live | ¡Viva! (Live!) | ¡No viva! (Don’t live!) | ¡Vivan! (Live!) | ¡No vivan! (Don’t live!) |
| Abrir | To open | ¡Abra! (Open!) | ¡No abra! (Don’t open!) | ¡Abran! (Open!) | ¡No abran! (Don’t open!) |
| Subir | To go up | ¡Suba! (Go up!) | ¡No suba! (Don’t go up!) | ¡Suban! (Go up!) | ¡No suban! (Don’t go up!) |
| Escribir | To write | ¡Escriba! (Write!) | ¡No escriba! (Don’t write!) | ¡Escriban! (Write!) | ¡No escriban! (Don’t write!) |
| Recibir | To receive | ¡Reciba! (Receive!) | ¡No reciba! (Don’t receive!) | ¡Reciban! (Receive!) | ¡No reciban! (Don’t receive!) |
| Compartir | To share | ¡Comparta! (Share!) | ¡No comparta! (Don’t share!) | ¡Compartan! (Share!) | ¡No compartan! (Don’t share!) |
| Asistir | To attend | ¡Asista! (Attend!) | ¡No asista! (Don’t attend!) | ¡Asistan! (Attend!) | ¡No asistan! (Don’t attend!) |
| Decidir | To decide | ¡Decida! (Decide!) | ¡No decida! (Don’t decide!) | ¡Decidan! (Decide!) | ¡No decidan! (Don’t decide!) |
| Permitir | To permit | ¡Permita! (Permit!) | ¡No permita! (Don’t permit!) | ¡Permitan! (Permit!) | ¡No permitan! (Don’t permit!) |
| Sufrir | To suffer | ¡Sufra! (Suffer!) | ¡No sufra! (Don’t suffer!) | ¡Sufran! (Suffer!) | ¡No sufran! (Don’t suffer!) |
| Admitir | To admit | ¡Admita! (Admit!) | ¡No admita! (Don’t admit!) | ¡Admitan! (Admit!) | ¡No admitan! (Don’t admit!) |
| Omitir | To omit | ¡Omita! (Omit!) | ¡No omita! (Don’t omit!) | ¡Omitan! (Omit!) | ¡No omitan! (Don’t omit!) |
| Prohibir | To prohibit | ¡Prohíba! (Prohibit!) | ¡No prohíba! (Don’t prohibit!) | ¡Prohíban! (Prohibit!) | ¡No prohíban! (Don’t prohibit!) |
| Discutir | To discuss | ¡Discuta! (Discuss!) | ¡No discuta! (Don’t discuss!) | ¡Discutan! (Discuss!) | ¡No discutan! (Don’t discuss!) |
| Dirigir | To direct | ¡Dirija! (Direct!) | ¡No dirija! (Don’t direct!) | ¡Dirijan! (Direct!) | ¡No dirijan! (Don’t direct!) |
| Insistir | To insist | ¡Insista! (Insist!) | ¡No insista! (Don’t insist!) | ¡Insistan! (Insist!) | ¡No insistan! (Don’t insist!) |
| Mentir | To lie | ¡Mienta! (Lie!) | ¡No mienta! (Don’t lie!) | ¡Mientan! (Lie!) | ¡No mientan! (Don’t lie!) |
| Sentir | To feel | ¡Sienta! (Feel!) | ¡No sienta! (Don’t feel!) | ¡Sientan! (Feel!) | ¡No sientan! (Don’t feel!) |
| Sugerir | To suggest | ¡Sugiera! (Suggest!) | ¡No sugiera! (Don’t suggest!) | ¡Sugieran! (Suggest!) | ¡No sugieran! (Don’t suggest!) |
| Vestir | To dress | ¡Vista! (Dress!) | ¡No vista! (Don’t dress!) | ¡Vistan! (Dress!) | ¡No vistan! (Don’t dress!) |
Examples with Irregular Verbs
Here are examples of formal commands using irregular verbs, including affirmative and negative forms for both usted and ustedes.
| Verb | Infinitive | Usted (Affirmative) | Usted (Negative) | Ustedes (Affirmative) | Ustedes (Negative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dar | To give | ¡Dé! (Give!) | ¡No dé! (Don’t give!) | ¡Den! (Give!) | ¡No den! (Don’t give!) |
| Estar | To be | ¡Esté! (Be!) | ¡No esté! (Don’t be!) | ¡Estén! (Be!) | ¡No estén! (Don’t be!) |
| Ir | To go | ¡Vaya! (Go!) | ¡No vaya! (Don’t go!) | ¡Vayan! (Go!) | ¡No vayan! (Don’t go!) |
| Saber | To know | ¡Sepa! (Know!) | ¡No sepa! (Don’t know!) | ¡Sepan! (Know!) | ¡No sepan! (Don’t know!) |
| Ser | To be | ¡Sea! (Be!) | ¡No sea! (Don’t be!) | ¡Sean! (Be!) | ¡No sean! (Don’t be!) |
Usage Rules for Formal Commands
Using formal commands correctly involves understanding the appropriate contexts and nuances. Here are some key rules to follow:
Expressing Politeness
Formal commands are inherently more polite than informal commands. They are used to show respect and maintain a professional or courteous tone.
In situations where you are unsure of the appropriate level of formality, it is always safer to use formal commands.
Formal Settings
Formal commands are essential in formal settings, such as business meetings, academic environments, and interactions with authority figures. Using informal commands in these situations could be perceived as disrespectful.
Negative Formal Commands
To form a negative formal command, simply place “no” before the command. The structure remains the same, but the meaning is reversed. For example: ¡No hable! (Don’t speak!) and ¡No coman! (Don’t eat!).
Remember that pronoun placement differs between affirmative and negative commands. In negative commands, pronouns precede the verb: ¡No me lo diga! (Don’t tell it to me!).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many learners make common mistakes when using formal commands. Here are some to watch out for:
- Using the incorrect verb form: Ensure you are using the subjunctive form of the verb, not the indicative.
- Incorrect: ¡Habla usted!
- Correct: ¡Hable usted!
- Incorrect pronoun placement: Remember that pronouns are attached to the end of affirmative commands but precede negative commands.
- Incorrect: ¡No diga me!
- Correct: ¡No me diga!
- Using the informal command form with usted: This is a common mistake, as learners may forget to conjugate the verb correctly.
- Incorrect: ¡Come tú! (when addressing someone as usted)
- Correct: ¡Coma usted!
- Forgetting irregular verb forms: Irregular verbs require memorization, as their subjunctive forms do not follow the standard pattern.
- Incorrect: ¡Seas bueno! (when ser is needed)
- Correct: ¡Sea bueno!
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of formal commands, complete the following exercises:
Exercise 1: Conjugation Practice
Conjugate the following verbs into the formal command form for both
usted and ustedes:
- Escribir (to write)
- Comer (to eat)
- Hablar (to speak)
- Vivir (to live)
- Hacer (to do/make)
- Dar (to give)
- Estar (to be)
- Ir (to go)
- Saber (to know)
- Ser (to be)
Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
Transform the following informal commands into formal commands:
- ¡Come la manzana! (Eat the apple!)
- ¡Escribe la carta! (Write the letter!)
- ¡Abre la puerta! (Open the door!)
- ¡Ven aquí! (Come here!)
- ¡Sé bueno! (Be good!)
Exercise 3: Translation Practice
Translate the following sentences into Spanish using formal commands:
- Speak slowly, please.
- Don’t open the window.
- Give me the book.
- Be careful!
- Go straight ahead.
Advanced Topics
For those looking to delve deeper into formal commands, here are some advanced topics to explore:
The Subjunctive Mood and Formal Commands
A thorough understanding of the subjunctive mood is crucial for mastering formal commands. Explore the nuances of the subjunctive and its various uses in Spanish grammar.
Nuance in Formal Commands
Explore how to add nuance and subtlety to your formal commands. Learn how to use adverbs and other modifiers to soften or strengthen your requests while maintaining a polite tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use formal commands?
Use formal commands when addressing someone you would call usted or ustedes, such as elders, superiors, or strangers in formal settings. They convey respect and politeness.
How do I form a negative formal command?
To form a negative formal command, place “no” before the verb. For example: ¡No hable! (Don’t speak!).
What are the common mistakes to avoid when using formal commands?
Common mistakes include using the indicative instead of the subjunctive, incorrect pronoun placement, and using informal command forms with usted.
Are formal commands always necessary?
While not always necessary, using formal commands is a safe way to show respect and maintain a polite tone, especially when you are unsure of the appropriate level of formality.
How do I use pronouns with formal commands?
In affirmative commands, pronouns are attached to the end of the verb (e.g., ¡Dígame!). In negative commands, pronouns precede the verb (e.g., ¡No me diga!).
Conclusion
Mastering Spanish formal commands is an essential step in achieving fluency and cultural competence. By understanding the formation rules, pronoun placement, and appropriate usage contexts, you can confidently and respectfully communicate in a variety of situations.
Practice the exercises provided, and continue to explore the nuances of formal language to enhance your overall command of Spanish. Remember, politeness and respect go a long way in any language, and formal commands are a key tool in achieving this in Spanish.