Mastering Spanish Commands: Formal and Informal Imperatives

Introduction: Why Learning Spanish Commands is Essential

Picture yourself in a lively Spanish-speaking city. You’re at a local café, and the waiter asks, “¿Quiere usted algo más?”(Would you like anything else?). You want to confidently respond, “Sí, tráigame un café, por favor.” (Yes, bring me a coffee, please.) Later, chatting with a friend, you casually say, “Pásame el azúcar.” (Pass me the sugar.) Both are commands, but did you notice the difference in formality? Spanish commands—or imperatives—can change depending on the situation and who you're speaking to.

Mastering these commands allows you to give instructions, make requests, offer advice, and even motivate others with confidence. This guide will walk you through the rules, differences, and practical uses of both formal and informal imperatives in Spanish. By the end, you’ll be able to navigate any social setting, from polite business interactions to casual conversations with friends.

What Are Spanish Commands?

Spanish commands are verb forms used to give orders, instructions, or advice. Unlike regular verb conjugations, imperatives often have unique forms. The key difference lies in the level of formality:

• Formal Commands: Used with people you don’t know well, older individuals, or in professional settings.

• Informal Commands: Used with friends, family, and peers.

Formal Commands: How and When to Use Them

Formal commands use the usted and ustedes forms of verbs. These forms are derived from the present subjunctive.

1. Conjugation Rules for Formal Commands

To form formal commands:

• Start with the yo form of the verb in the present tense.

• Drop the -o ending.

• Add the following endings:

  • For -AR verbs: -e (singular) and -en (plural)

  • For -ER/-IR verbs: -a (singular) and -an (plural)

Examples:

• Hablar (to speak): Hable (speak - singular), Hablen (speak - plural)

• Comer (to eat): Coma (eat - singular), Coman (eat - plural)

• Escribir (to write): Escriba (write - singular), Escriban (write - plural)

2. Irregular Formal Commands

Some verbs have irregular forms in the imperative. Here are the most common ones:

InfinitiveUsted (Singular)Ustedes (Plural)Ser (to be)SeaSeanIr (to go)VayaVayanDar (to give)DéDenEstar (to be)EstéEsténSaber (to know)SepaSepan

3. Using Formal Commands in Sentences

• Por favor, hable más despacio. (Please speak more slowly.)

• Coman más verduras para estar saludables. (Eat more vegetables to stay healthy.)

• Vaya al doctor si no se siente bien. (Go to the doctor if you don’t feel well.)

Informal Commands: How and When to Use Them

Informal commands are used with the pronoun tú. They are generally more straightforward than formal commands.

1. Conjugation Rules for Informal Commands (Positive)

• For positive commands, use the él/ella/usted form of the verb in the present tense.

Examples:

• Hablar (to speak): Habla (speak)

• Comer (to eat): Come (eat)

• Escribir (to write): Escribe (write)

2. Irregular Informal Commands (Positive)

Some verbs have irregular positive commands:

InfinitiveTú CommandDecir (to say)DiHacer (to do/make)HazIr (to go)VePoner (to put)PonSalir (to leave)SalSer (to be)SéTener (to have)TenVenir (to come)Ven

3. Using Informal Commands in Sentences

• Habla más alto, no te escucho. (Speak louder, I can’t hear you.)

• Ven aquí, necesito mostrarte algo. (Come here, I need to show you something.)

• Haz tu tarea antes de jugar. (Do your homework before playing.)

Negative Commands: Formal and Informal

Negative commands require the present subjunctive form.

1. Formal Negative Commands

Simply add “no” before the verb:

• No hable tan rápido. (Don’t speak so fast.)

• No escriban en los libros. (Don’t write in the books.)

2. Informal Negative Commands

• Start with the yo form of the present tense.

• Drop the -o ending.

• For -AR verbs, add -es; for -ER/-IR verbs, add -as.

Examples:

• No hables así. (Don’t speak like that.)

• No comas tanto azúcar. (Don’t eat so much sugar.)

• No escribas en la pared. (Don’t write on the wall.)

Irregular Negative Commands:

• Decir: No digas

• Hacer: No hagas

• Ir: No vayas

• Ser: No seas

• Tener: No tengas

• Venir: No vengas

Comparing Formal and Informal Commands

FunctionFormal (Usted/Ustedes)Informal (Tú)Giving an orderHable más despacio.Habla más despacio.Making a requestPásenme la sal, por favor.Pásame la sal, por favor.Giving adviceComa más frutas.Come más frutas.WarningNo corra en el pasillo.No corras en el pasillo.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mixing Formal and Informal Commands:

   • ❌ Habla más despacio, señor. (Incorrect - Too informal for a formal context)

   • ✅ Hable más despacio, señor. (Correct)

2. Using Incorrect Verb Forms:

   • ❌ No come eso. (Incorrect - Should be No comas eso.)

   • ✅ No comas eso. (Don’t eat that.)

3. Forgetting Irregular Forms:

   • ❌ No haces eso. (Incorrect - Should be No hagas eso.)

   • ✅ No hagas eso. (Don’t do that.)

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

1. ________ (hablar) más bajo, estamos en la biblioteca. (Informal)

2. ________ (venir) a mi oficina, por favor. (Formal)

3. No ________ (comer) tanto chocolate. (Informal, negative)

4. ________ (ser) amable con los clientes. (Formal)

5. No ________ (salir) sin tu chaqueta. (Informal, negative)

(Answers: 1. Habla, 2. Venga, 3. Comas, 4. Sea, 5. Salgas)

Tips to Master Spanish Commands

1. Practice Real-Life Scenarios: Imagine situations where you need to give instructions or make requests.

2. Use Commands in Daily Conversations: Practice with friends, family, or language partners.

3. Learn Irregular Verbs First: Focus on memorizing common irregular commands like haz, ve, and sé.

4. Pay Attention to Context: Choose formal or informal commands based on your relationship with the person and the setting.

Conclusion

Mastering Spanish commands is essential for effective communication, whether you’re giving instructions, making polite requests, or chatting with friends. By understanding the differences between formal and informal imperatives and practicing their correct usage, you’ll feel more confident speaking Spanish in any situation.

Want to improve your Spanish even further? At Polyglottist Language Academy, we offer both group and individual Spanish classes, available in-person and online. Our group classes are intentionally small, with only 3-6 people per class, ensuring personalized attention and plenty of speaking practice. Explore more articles on our blog and take your Spanish to the next level with our experienced instructors and interactive lessons!