Mastering Spanish Commands: Formal vs. Informal
Understanding how to give commands in Spanish is crucial for effective communication. However, Spanish, unlike English, distinguishes between formal and informal commands, adding a layer of complexity. This article will comprehensively explore the nuances of both formal (usted/ustedes) and informal (tú/vosotros) commands, providing a clear roadmap for mastering this essential grammar point. Whether you’re a beginner aiming to give simple instructions or an advanced learner seeking to refine your fluency, this guide offers detailed explanations, extensive examples, and practical exercises to solidify your understanding and boost your confidence in using Spanish commands correctly.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Spanish Commands
- Structural Breakdown of Spanish Commands
- Informal Commands (Tú/Vosotros)
- Formal Commands (Usted/Ustedes)
- Irregular Commands
- Pronoun Placement with Commands
- Examples of Spanish Commands
- Usage Rules for Spanish Commands
- Common Mistakes with Spanish Commands
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Spanish Commands
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Spanish Commands
A Spanish command, or imperative, is a verb form used to give an order, instruction, or piece of advice. Commands differ significantly from other verb conjugations because they directly address someone and tell them to perform an action. In Spanish, the imperative mood is particularly sensitive to formality. The choice between formal and informal commands hinges on your relationship with the person you are addressing. The formal commands use the usted and ustedes pronouns, while the informal commands use tú and vosotros. The correct usage of these forms is essential for showing respect and maintaining appropriate social etiquette in Spanish-speaking environments. Using the wrong form can be seen as disrespectful, especially when addressing elders or people in positions of authority.
Commands can be categorized based on several factors: who is being addressed (tú, usted, vosotros, ustedes), whether the command is affirmative (do something) or negative (don’t do something), and whether the verb is regular or irregular. Each of these factors influences the specific verb conjugation required to form the command. The imperative mood lacks a first-person singular form (I) because you cannot command yourself. The command is directly addressed to another person or group of people. Mastering the Spanish commands involves understanding these different categories and applying the correct conjugation rules for each situation. A solid grasp of these rules will enable you to communicate effectively and appropriately in a variety of social contexts.
Structural Breakdown of Spanish Commands
The structure of Spanish commands depends on whether they are affirmative or negative and whether they are formal or informal. Let’s break down the fundamental rules:
Affirmative Informal (Tú) Commands: These commands often use the same form as the third-person singular of the present indicative tense (él/ella/usted form). For example, the command for “speak” (hablar) is habla.
Negative Informal (Tú) Commands: These commands use the present subjunctive form. You can derive this by taking the “yo” form of the present indicative, dropping the “o,” and adding the opposite ending. For -ar verbs, add -es; for -er and -ir verbs, add -as. For example, “don’t speak” is no hables.
Formal (Usted/Ustedes) Commands: Both affirmative and negative formal commands use the present subjunctive forms. The usted command uses the third-person singular subjunctive, and the ustedes command uses the third-person plural subjunctive.
Vosotros Commands: Affirmative vosotros commands are formed by dropping the -r from the infinitive and adding -d. For example, “hablar” becomes “hablad”. Negative vosotros commands use the present subjunctive form.
The position of pronouns also affects the structure. In affirmative commands, pronouns are attached to the end of the verb. In negative commands, pronouns precede the verb. For example, “Tell me” is Dime, but “Don’t tell me” is No me digas.
Informal Commands (Tú/Vosotros)
Informal commands are used when addressing people you are close to, such as friends, family members, or peers. They are divided into tú commands (used in most Spanish-speaking countries) and vosotros commands (used primarily in Spain).
Affirmative Tú Commands
Affirmative tú commands are generally the easiest to form because they mostly correspond to the third-person singular form of the present indicative tense. However, there are some important irregular verbs that require memorization.
Here’s a table with examples of regular affirmative tú commands:
| Infinitive | Present Indicative (él/ella/usted) | Affirmative Tú Command | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hablar (to speak) | Habla | Habla | Speak |
| Comer (to eat) | Come | Come | Eat |
| Vivir (to live) | Vive | Vive | Live |
| Escribir (to write) | Escribe | Escribe | Write |
| Cantar (to sing) | Canta | Canta | Sing |
| Leer (to read) | Lee | Lee | Read |
| Abrir (to open) | Abre | Abre | Open |
| Bailar (to dance) | Baila | Baila | Dance |
| Correr (to run) | Corre | Corre | Run |
| Subir (to go up) | Sube | Sube | Go up |
| Lavar (to wash) | Lava | Lava | Wash |
| Beber (to drink) | Bebe | Bebe | Drink |
| Salir (to leave) | Sale | Sale | Leave |
| Entrar (to enter) | Entra | Entra | Enter |
| Creer (to believe) | Cree | Cree | Believe |
| Recibir (to receive) | Recibe | Recibe | Receive |
| Estudiar (to study) | Estudia | Estudia | Study |
| Aprender (to learn) | Aprende | Aprende | Learn |
| Cubrir (to cover) | Cubre | Cubre | Cover |
| Llamar (to call) | Llama | Llama | Call |
| Cerrar (to close) | Cierra | Cierra | Close |
| Volver (to return) | Vuelve | Vuelve | Return |
| Pedir (to ask for) | Pide | Pide | Ask for |
| Seguir (to follow) | Sigue | Sigue | Follow |
| Dormir (to sleep) | Duerme | Duerme | Sleep |
| Empezar (to start) | Empieza | Empieza | Start |
| Pensar (to think) | Piensa | Piensa | Think |
However, some verbs have irregular affirmative tú commands. These are crucial to memorize:
| Infinitive | Affirmative Tú Command | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Decir (to say) | Di | Say |
| Hacer (to do) | Haz | Do |
| Ir (to go) | Ve | Go |
| Poner (to put) | Pon | Put |
| Salir (to leave) | Sal | Leave |
| Ser (to be) | Sé | Be |
| Tener (to have) | Ten | Have |
| Venir (to come) | Ven | Come |
Negative Tú Commands
Negative tú commands require the present subjunctive. To form them, take the “yo” form of the present indicative, drop the “o,” and add the opposite ending (-es for -ar verbs, -as for -er and -ir verbs).
Here are some examples:
| Infinitive | Yo Form (Present Indicative) | Negative Tú Command | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hablar (to speak) | Hablo | No hables | Don’t speak |
| Comer (to eat) | Como | No comas | Don’t eat |
| Vivir (to live) | Vivo | No vivas | Don’t live |
| Escribir (to write) | Escribo | No escribas | Don’t write |
| Cantar (to sing) | Canto | No cantes | Don’t sing |
| Leer (to read) | Leo | No leas | Don’t read |
| Abrir (to open) | Abro | No abras | Don’t open |
| Bailar (to dance) | Bailo | No bailes | Don’t dance |
| Correr (to run) | Corro | No corras | Don’t run |
| Subir (to go up) | Subo | No subas | Don’t go up |
| Lavar (to wash) | Lavo | No laves | Don’t wash |
| Beber (to drink) | Bebo | No bebas | Don’t drink |
| Salir (to leave) | Salgo | No salgas | Don’t leave |
| Entrar (to enter) | Entro | No entres | Don’t enter |
| Creer (to believe) | Creo | No creas | Don’t believe |
| Recibir (to receive) | Recibo | No recibas | Don’t receive |
| Estudiar (to study) | Estudio | No estudies | Don’t study |
| Aprender (to learn) | Aprendo | No aprendas | Don’t learn |
| Cubrir (to cover) | Cubro | No cubras | Don’t cover |
| Llamar (to call) | Llamo | No llames | Don’t call |
| Cerrar (to close) | Cierro | No cierres | Don’t close |
| Volver (to return) | Vuelvo | No vuelvas | Don’t return |
| Pedir (to ask for) | Pido | No pidas | Don’t ask for |
| Seguir (to follow) | Sigo | No sigas | Don’t follow |
| Dormir (to sleep) | Duermo | No duermas | Don’t sleep |
| Empezar (to start) | Empiezo | No empieces | Don’t start |
| Pensar (to think) | Pienso | No pienses | Don’t think |
Vosotros Commands
Vosotros commands are primarily used in Spain. Affirmative vosotros commands are formed by dropping the -r from the infinitive and adding -d. Negative vosotros commands use the present subjunctive form of vosotros.
Here’s a comparison of affirmative and negative vosotros commands:
| Infinitive | Affirmative Vosotros Command | Negative Vosotros Command | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hablar (to speak) | Hablad | No habléis | Speak / Don’t speak |
| Comer (to eat) | Comed | No comáis | Eat / Don’t eat |
| Vivir (to live) | Vivid | No viváis | Live / Don’t live |
| Escribir (to write) | Escribid | No escribáis | Write / Don’t write |
| Cantar (to sing) | Cantad | No cantéis | Sing / Don’t sing |
| Leer (to read) | Leed | No leáis | Read / Don’t read |
Formal Commands (Usted/Ustedes)
Formal commands are used when addressing people you don’t know well, elders, or those in positions of authority. They use the usted (singular formal) and ustedes (plural formal) pronouns. Both affirmative and negative formal commands are formed using the present subjunctive.
Usted Commands
Usted commands use the third-person singular subjunctive form. Remember to use usted in situations where formality is required.
Examples of usted commands:
| Infinitive | Usted Command (Affirmative) | Usted Command (Negative) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hablar (to speak) | Hable | No hable | Speak / Don’t speak |
| Comer (to eat) | Coma | No coma | Eat / Don’t eat |
| Vivir (to live) | Viva | No viva | Live / Don’t live |
| Escribir (to write) | Escriba | No escriba | Write / Don’t write |
| Abrir (to open) | Abra | No abra | Open / Don’t open |
| Cerrar (to close) | Cierre | No cierre | Close / Don’t close |
| Volver (to return) | Vuelva | No vuelva | Return / Don’t return |
| Pedir (to ask for) | Pida | No pida | Ask for / Don’t ask for |
| Seguir (to follow) | Siga | No siga | Follow / Don’t follow |
| Dormir (to sleep) | Duerma | No duerma | Sleep / Don’t sleep |
| Empezar (to start) | Empiece | No empiece | Start / Don’t start |
| Pensar (to think) | Piense | No piense | Think / Don’t think |
| Dar (to give) | Dé | No dé | Give / Don’t give |
| Estar (to be) | Esté | No esté | Be / Don’t be |
| Saber (to know) | Sepa | No sepa | Know / Don’t know |
| Ir (to go) | Vaya | No vaya | Go / Don’t go |
| Ser (to be) | Sea | No sea | Be / Don’t be |
| Tener (to have) | Tenga | No tenga | Have / Don’t have |
| Venir (to come) | Venga | No venga | Come / Don’t come |
| Decir (to say) | Diga | No diga | Say / Don’t say |
| Hacer (to do) | Haga | No haga | Do / Don’t do |
| Poner (to put) | Ponga | No ponga | Put / Don’t put |
| Oír (to hear) | Oiga | No oiga | Hear / Don’t hear |
| Traer (to bring) | Traiga | No traiga | Bring / Don’t bring |
| Conocer (to know) | Conozca | No conozca | Know / Don’t know |
| Ofrecer (to offer) | Ofrezca | No ofrezca | Offer / Don’t offer |
Ustedes Commands
Ustedes commands use the third-person plural subjunctive form. Use ustedes when addressing a group of people formally.
Examples of ustedes commands:
| Infinitive | Ustedes Command (Affirmative) | Ustedes Command (Negative) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hablar (to speak) | Hablen | No hablen | Speak / Don’t speak |
| Comer (to eat) | Coman | No coman | Eat / Don’t eat |
| Vivir (to live) | Vivan | No vivan | Live / Don’t live |
| Escribir (to write) | Escriban | No escriban | Write / Don’t write |
| Abrir (to open) | Abran | No abran | Open / Don’t open |
| Cerrar (to close) | Cierren | No cierren | Close / Don’t close |
| Volver (to return) | Vuelvan | No vuelvan | Return / Don’t return |
| Pedir (to ask for) | Pidan | No pidan | Ask for / Don’t ask for |
| Seguir (to follow) | Sigan | No sigan | Follow / Don’t follow |
| Dormir (to sleep) | Duerman | No duerman | Sleep / Don’t sleep |
| Empezar (to start) | Empiecen | No empiecen | Start / Don’t start |
| Pensar (to think) | Piensen | No piensen | Think / Don’t think |
| Dar (to give) | Den | No den | Give / Don’t give |
| Estar (to be) | Estén | No estén | Be / Don’t be |
| Saber (to know) | Sepan | No sepan | Know / Don’t know |
| Ir (to go) | Vayan | No vayan | Go / Don’t go |
| Ser (to be) | Sean | No sean | Be / Don’t be |
| Tener (to have) | Tengan | No tengan | Have / Don’t have |
| Venir (to come) | Vengan | No vengan | Come / Don’t come |
| Decir (to say) | Digan | No digan | Say / Don’t say |
| Hacer (to do) | Hagan | No hagan | Do / Don’t do |
| Poner (to put) | Pongan | No pongan | Put / Don’t put |
| Oír (to hear) | Oigan | No oigan | Hear / Don’t hear |
| Traer (to bring) | Traigan | No traigan | Bring / Don’t bring |
| Conocer (to know) | Conozcan | No conozcan | Know / Don’t know |
| Ofrecer (to offer) | Ofrezcan | No ofrezcan | Offer / Don’t offer |
Irregular Commands
As mentioned previously, certain verbs have irregular forms in the imperative mood. These irregularities primarily affect the affirmative tú commands, but some verbs also have irregular subjunctive forms that affect the formal commands and negative tú commands.
Here’s a table highlighting these irregular verbs and their command forms:
| Infinitive | Affirmative Tú Command | Negative Tú Command | Usted Command (Affirmative) | Ustedes Command (Affirmative) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decir (to say) | Di | No digas | Diga | Digan | Say / Don’t say |
| Hacer (to do) | Haz | No hagas | Haga | Hagan | Do / Don’t do |
| Ir (to go) | Ve | No vayas | Vaya | Vayan | Go / Don’t go |
| Poner (to put) | Pon | No pongas | Ponga | Pongan | Put / Don’t put |
| Salir (to leave) | Sal | No salgas | Salga | Salgan | Leave / Don’t leave |
| Ser (to be) | Sé | No seas | Sea | Sean | Be / Don’t be |
| Tener (to have) | Ten | No tengas | Tenga | Tengan | Have / Don’t have |
| Venir (to come) | Ven | No vengas | Venga | Vengan | Come / Don’t come |
Pronoun Placement with Commands
The placement of pronouns with commands differs depending on whether the command is affirmative or negative. This is a key aspect to master for accurate and natural-sounding Spanish.
Affirmative Commands: Pronouns are attached to the end of the verb. If there are multiple pronouns, they are attached in the following order: reflexive, indirect object, direct object. Remember to add an accent mark if needed to maintain the original stress.
Negative Commands: Pronouns precede the verb. The order of pronouns is the same as in other negative constructions: reflexive, indirect object, direct object.
Here are some examples illustrating pronoun placement:
| Command Type | Command | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative Tú | Dime (Di + me) | Tell me |
| Negative Tú | No me digas | Don’t tell me |
| Affirmative Usted | Dígame (Diga + me) | Tell me (formal) |
| Negative Usted | No me diga | Don’t tell me (formal) |
| Affirmative Tú | Lávalo (Lava + lo) | Wash it |
| Negative Tú | No lo laves | Don’t wash it |
| Affirmative Usted | Lávelo (Lave + lo) | Wash it (
formal) |
| Negative Usted | No lo lave | Don’t wash it (formal) |
| Affirmative Tú | Levántate (Levanta + te) | Get up |
| Negative Tú | No te levantes | Don’t get up |
| Affirmative Usted | Levántese (Levante + se) | Get up (formal) |
| Negative Usted | No se levante | Don’t get up (formal) |
Examples of Spanish Commands
Here are several examples of Spanish commands in context, showcasing both formal and informal usage:
- Informal (Tú): Juan, ¡haz la tarea! (Juan, do your homework!)
- Formal (Usted): Señor Gómez, espere aquí, por favor. (Mr. Gomez, wait here, please.)
- Informal (Vosotros): Chicos, ¡comed toda la comida! (Guys, eat all the food!) – Spain
- Formal (Ustedes): Señoras y señores, abróchense los cinturones. (Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts.)
- Informal (Tú): No hables con extraños. (Don’t talk to strangers.)
- Formal (Usted): No fume aquí, por favor. (Don’t smoke here, please.)
- Informal (Tú): Lava los platos después de cenar. (Wash the dishes after dinner.)
- Formal (Usted): Siéntese, por favor. (Sit down, please.)
- Informal (Tú): Ven a mi fiesta el sábado. (Come to my party on Saturday.)
- Formal (Usted): Venga a la oficina a las nueve. (Come to the office at nine o’clock.)
Usage Rules for Spanish Commands
To effectively use Spanish commands, keep these rules in mind:
- Formality: Always consider your relationship with the person you are addressing. Use tú and vosotros with friends, family, and peers. Use usted and ustedes with people you don’t know well, elders, or those in positions of authority.
- Affirmative vs. Negative: Remember that affirmative tú commands often use the same form as the third-person singular present indicative, while negative tú commands use the present subjunctive.
- Pronoun Placement: In affirmative commands, pronouns are attached to the end of the verb. In negative commands, pronouns precede the verb.
- Irregular Verbs: Memorize the irregular command forms, as they are frequently used and can easily cause confusion.
- Subjunctive Mood: Formal commands (usted/ustedes) always use the present subjunctive.
Common Mistakes with Spanish Commands
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using Spanish commands:
- Using the wrong level of formality: Mixing up tú and usted can be disrespectful. Always consider your audience.
- Incorrect pronoun placement: Placing pronouns incorrectly can change the meaning of the command or make it grammatically incorrect.
- Forgetting irregular verb forms: Relying on regular verb conjugations for irregular verbs will lead to errors.
- Misusing the subjunctive: Not using the subjunctive for negative tú commands and formal commands is a common mistake.
- Incorrect formation of vosotros commands: Forgetting to drop the -r and add -d in affirmative vosotros commands.
Practice Exercises
Test your knowledge with these practice exercises. Provide the correct command form based on the context.
- (Hablar – Tú) __________ más alto, por favor. (Speak louder, please.)
Habla - (Comer – Usted) __________ toda la comida. (Eat all the food.)
Coma - (No llegar – Tú) __________ tarde. (Don’t arrive late.)
No llegues - (Escribir – Ustedes) __________ sus nombres aquí. (Write your names here.)
Escriban - (Salir – Tú) __________ de aquí ahora mismo. (Leave here right now.)
Sal - (No hacer – Tú) __________ eso. (Don’t do that.)
No hagas - (Ser – Usted) __________ paciente. (Be patient.)
Sea - (Tener – Tú) __________ cuidado. (Be careful.)
Ten - (Venir – Usted) __________ mañana. (Come tomorrow.)
Venga - (Poner – Tú) __________ la mesa. (Set the table.)
Pon - (Estudiar – Tú) __________ para el examen. (Study for the exam.)
Estudia - (Cerrar – Usted) __________ la puerta, por favor. (Close the door, please.)
Cierre - (No correr – Tú) __________ en la casa. (Don’t run in the house.)
No corras - (Abrir – Ustedes) __________ sus libros en la página diez. (Open your books to page ten.)
Abran - (Decir – Tú) __________ la verdad. (Tell the truth.)
Di
Advanced Topics in Spanish Commands
For advanced learners, consider exploring these topics:
- Commands with reflexive verbs: Understanding how reflexive pronouns interact with commands.
- The use of “se” in commands: Exploring impersonal commands and passive constructions.
- Commands in complex sentences: Using commands in conjunction with other clauses and conjunctions.
- Regional variations: Investigating differences in command usage across various Spanish-speaking regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use formal commands instead of informal commands?
Use formal commands when addressing people you don’t know well, elders, or those in positions of authority. When in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of formality.
How do I know if a verb is irregular in the affirmative tú command form?
The best way to learn irregular verb forms is through memorization and practice. Refer to lists of irregular verbs and practice using them in context.
What happens when I need to use two pronouns with a command?
In affirmative commands, attach the pronouns to the end of the verb in the order: reflexive, indirect object, direct object. In negative commands, place the pronouns before the verb in the same order.
Are vosotros commands used in Latin America?
No, vosotros commands are primarily used in Spain. In Latin America, the ustedes form is used for both formal and informal plural commands.
How can I improve my command of Spanish commands?
Practice regularly! Use commands in your daily conversations, do exercises, and immerse yourself in the Spanish language through reading, listening, and speaking.
Conclusion
Mastering Spanish commands is essential for effective and respectful communication. By understanding the distinctions between formal and informal commands, learning the rules for verb conjugation and pronoun placement, and practicing regularly, you can confidently give instructions, offer advice, and navigate social situations with ease.
Pay close attention to the nuances of formality and the irregularities of certain verbs to avoid common mistakes and enhance your fluency. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be commanding like a pro!