Commands & Daily Expressions
The Ultimate Guide to the Imperative Mood
From strict grammar rules to everyday survival phrases. Learn how to give orders, advice, and use the fixed imperative expressions that act just like English phrasal verbs.
1. How to Form Commands (The Rules)
Tú (Affirmative)
Use the 3rd-person singular present indicative.
¡Saca la basura!
Tú (Negative)
Use the present subjunctive tú form with "no".
¡No saques la basura!
Usted / Ustedes
Use the present subjunctive for both pos. & neg.
¡Ponga la mesa!
Nosotros (Let's)
Use the present subjunctive to express "let's".
¡Levantémonos temprano!
⚡ 8 Irregular "Tú" Commands
These highly frequent verbs have entirely unique affirmative tú forms:
🌍 Regional Variations
- Vosotros (Spain): Used for plural informal. (e.g., ¡Hablad!)
- Ustedes (LatAm): Used for ALL plurals (formal and informal).
- Vos (LatAm): Replaces tú in many regions. Drops the 'r' of the infinitive and adds an accent. (e.g., ¡Vení! ¡Comé!)
2. Pronoun Placement (The Golden Rule)
✅ Affirmative: Attached to the end
Pronouns (reflexive, direct, indirect) glue directly to the end of the verb. Accents are often added to keep original stress.
- Date prisa. (Hurry up)
- Hazlo. (Do it)
❌ Negative: Before the verb
Pronouns must be placed between the "No" and the conjugated verb.
- No te preocupes. (Don't worry)
- No lo hagas. (Don't do it)
Advanced Mechanics: Vosotros vs. Tú
Why is it siéntate but sentaos? For tú, "sentarse" has a stem change (e → ie), so it becomes siénta + te. For vosotros, the rule is to drop the "r" and add "d" (sentad), and it never stem-changes. When adding the reflexive "os", the "d" is dropped to sound smoother: sentad + os → sentaos! (Same with dad + os → daos prisa!)
3. Common Phrasal Commands
| Command | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saca la basura | Take out the trash | Verb + noun phrase |
| Pon la mesa | Set the table | Household use (irregular pon) |
| Apaga la luz | Turn off the light | Everyday |
| Enciende la televisión | Turn on the TV | Technology |
| Ponte la chaqueta | Put on your jacket | Reflexive pronoun |
| Quítate los zapatos | Take off your shoes | Reflexive pronoun |
| Llévate esto | Take this with you | Verb + pronoun |
| Devuélvelo ahora | Give it back now | Verb + pronoun |
| Tráelo aquí | Bring it here | Verb + pronoun |
| No lo hagas | Don't do it | Negative command |
The "Phrasal Verbs" of Spanish
Spanish does not have exact equivalents for English phrasal verbs (sit down, calm down, hurry up). Instead, it relies on highly frequent, fixed reflexive commands. Learn these as complete chunks!
1. Con "Ponerse"
- Ponte cómodo / serio / atento.
- Ponte de pie / en mi lugar.
- Ponte el cinturón / la chaqueta.
2. Con "Quedarse"
- Quédate aquí / conmigo.
- Quédate tranquilo / quieto.
- Quédate sentado / en casa.
3. Con "Irse"
- Vete a casa / a dormir.
- Vete de aquí / al médico.
- Vete con cuidado.
4. Con "Dar(se)"
- Date prisa / tiempo.
- Date una oportunidad / un descanso.
- Date cuenta (de eso / de lo que pasa).
5. Con "Preocuparse"
Negative forms are most common:
- No te preocupes.
- No te preocupes por eso / por mí.
- No te preocupes tanto.
6. Calmarse & Relajarse
- Cálmate (un poco / primero).
- Cálmate y escucha.
- Relájate (un poco / y disfruta).
- Relájate, todo saldrá bien.
7. Con "Callarse"
- Cállate (un momento).
- Cállate y escucha.
8. Memoria
- No te olvides (de mí / de llamar).
- Acuérdate (de mí / de comprar pan).
9. Daily Actions
- Apúrate / Date prisa (llegamos tarde).
- Cuídate (mucho / del frío).
- Diviértete (en la fiesta).
- Pórtate bien (como un adulto).
- Anímate (a intentarlo).
- Duérmete (ya / temprano).
No te duermas. - Levántate (ya / despacio).
- Siéntate (aquí / conmigo).
- Vístete (rápido / bien).
The 25 Essential Survival Commands
If you only learn these 25 expressions, you will understand the vast majority of everyday commands heard in Spanish movies, series, and daily life. Learn them as complete chunks!