The Imperative in Spanish: How to Give Commands and Instructions
Whether you want to ask someone to sit down, tell a friend to hurry up, or give directions to a stranger,
you need the imperative mood in Spanish. This is one of the most practical and commonly used
verb forms in everyday communication.
1. Simple Definition
The imperative (el imperativo) is a verb form used to give orders, make requests, offer advice,
or give instructions. In Spanish, the imperative changes depending on who you are speaking to.
Unlike other verb tenses, the imperative is used directly in the second person (tú, vosotros) or in a formal context (usted, ustedes).
Think of it as the “action command” form: Speak! Listen! Come here!
2. Simple Examples to Illustrate
- ¡Habla más despacio! — Speak more slowly!
- ¡Escucha con atención! — Listen carefully!
- ¡Ven aquí! — Come here!
- ¡Comed la sopa! — Eat the soup! (to a group, Spain)
- ¡Por favor, siéntese! — Please, sit down! (formal)
3. Key Elements of the Imperative in Spanish
Understanding the imperative requires knowing who you are speaking to and whether the command is
affirmative (do something) or negative (don’t do something).
The forms are quite different depending on these two factors.
3.1 Affirmative Imperative (Positive Commands)
The affirmative imperative is used to tell someone to do something. Here are the main forms for
regular verbs:
| Subject | Hablar (to speak) | Comer (to eat) | Vivir (to live) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tú (informal singular) | habla | come | vive |
| Usted (formal singular) | hable | coma | viva |
| Vosotros (informal plural, Spain) | hablad | comed | vivid |
| Ustedes (formal/plural Latin America) | hablen | coman | vivan |
| Nosotros (let’s…) | hablemos | comamos | vivamos |
- ¡Habla con tu profesor! — Speak with your teacher! (tú)
- ¡Hable más fuerte, por favor! — Speak louder, please! (usted)
- ¡Comamos juntos! — Let’s eat together! (nosotros)
3.2 Negative Imperative (Negative Commands)
The negative imperative is used to tell someone not to do something.
It is formed using no + the subjunctive present form of the verb.
This is a key point: the negative imperative uses a completely different form than the affirmative.
| Subject | Hablar | Comer | Vivir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tú | no hables | no comas | no vivas |
| Usted | no hable | no coma | no viva |
| Vosotros | no habléis | no comáis | no viváis |
| Ustedes | no hablen | no coman | no vivan |
| Nosotros | no hablemos | no comamos | no vivamos |
- ¡No hables tan rápido! — Don’t speak so fast!
- ¡No comas en clase! — Don’t eat in class!
- ¡No viváis solos! — Don’t live alone! (to a group in Spain)
3.3 Irregular Imperative Forms
Some very common Spanish verbs have irregular imperative forms, especially in the affirmative
tú form. You simply need to memorize these.
| Verb (Infinitive) | Meaning | Tú (Affirmative) | Usted (Affirmative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ser | to be | sé | sea |
| ir | to go | ve | vaya |
| tener | to have | ten | tenga |
| hacer | to do/make | haz | haga |
| decir | to say/tell | di | diga |
| poner | to put | pon | ponga |
| salir | to leave/go out | sal | salga |
| venir | to come | ven | venga |
- ¡Sé amable con todos! — Be kind to everyone!
- ¡Haz tu tarea! — Do your homework!
- ¡Ven conmigo! — Come with me!
- ¡Di la verdad! — Tell the truth!
3.4 Imperative with Pronouns
When using object pronouns (me, te, lo, la, nos, os, les…) with the imperative,
the pronoun placement changes depending on whether the command is affirmative or negative.
-
Affirmative: The pronoun is attached to the end of the verb.
¡Dímelo! — Tell it to me!
¡Cómpraselo! — Buy it for him/her! -
Negative: The pronoun comes before the verb.
¡No me lo digas! — Don’t tell it to me!
¡No se lo compres! — Don’t buy it for him/her!
4. Why the Imperative (and Spanish Conjugation) Matters
The imperative is not just a grammar exercise — it is essential for real-life communication.
Here is why mastering it is so important:
-
Everyday use: You need the imperative to order food in a restaurant, ask for directions,
follow a recipe, or give instructions at work. -
Politeness and register: Knowing when to use tú (informal) vs. usted (formal)
helps you communicate respectfully in different social contexts. -
Clarity: Commands must be direct and clear. Mastering the imperative makes your Spanish
more natural and confident. -
Foundation for grammar: Learning the imperative helps you understand the subjunctive mood,
which shares many of the same forms.
5. Comparison with Other Languages
It is helpful to compare the Spanish imperative with French and English to better understand its structure.
| Feature | English | French | Spanish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affirmative command (informal singular) | Speak! | Parle ! | ¡Habla! |
| Negative command (informal singular) | Don’t speak! |
|