Modo Imperativo
The Imperative Mode (Modo Imperativo) is used to give commands, orders, instructions, or requests. It's one of the most straightforward and practical moods in Spanish because its purpose is very clear: telling someone to do (or not do) something!
Key Concept
If you're telling someone what to do or giving instructions (like "Speak!", "Don't eat that!", "Let's go!"), you're using the Imperative mode.
Here's something interesting: in Spanish, you can only logically give commands to certain people. The imperative is limited to 2nd person (you/you all) and 1st person plural (we/let's).
🤔 Why Only These?
Think about it: You can tell someone else to do something (2nd person), or suggest"let's do it together" (1st person plural). But it doesn't make sense to "command yourself" (yo) or "command him/her/them" (él/ella/ellos) directly. If you're not talking to them, how can you command them?
🚫 What About Yo, Él, Ella, Ellos, Ellas?
These pronouns don't have imperative forms because it wouldn't make sense:
Now that you know who you can command, let's learn how to actually conjugate the imperative. Here's where it gets interesting: tú and vosotros are the "original" imperative forms with their own unique rules, while the rest simply borrow from the !
These two pronouns have their own special imperative conjugations that you need to learn separately.
Use the él/ella form of the present tense (3rd person singular)
Hablar → Él habla → ¡Habla!
Comer → Él come → ¡Come!
Vivir → Él vive → ¡Vive!
⚠️ 8 Important Irregulars:
Replace the -r of the infinitive with -d
Hablar → Hablar + d → ¡Hablad!
Comer → Comer + d → ¡Comed!
Vivir → Vivir + d → ¡Vivid!
✨ Great news! Vosotros has NO irregular forms in affirmative commands!
These three pronouns simply copy the conjugations. If you know , you already know these!
| Hablar | ¡Hable! (= ) |
| Comer | ¡Coma! |
| Vivir | ¡Viva! |
| Hablar | ¡Hablen! (= ) |
| Comer | ¡Coman! |
| Vivir | ¡Vivan! |
| Hablar | ¡Hablemos! (= ) |
| Comer | ¡Comamos! |
| Vivir | ¡Vivamos! |
For more details on irregulars: Since usted, ustedes, and nosotros use conjugations, they follow the same irregular patterns. Click below to learn about all the irregulars!
For negative commands, ALL pronouns (including tú and vosotros!) simply use the conjugations. This makes it easier to learn!
| Pronoun | Hablar | Comer | Vivir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tú | ¡No hables! | ¡No comas! | ¡No vivas! |
| Vosotros | ¡No habléis! | ¡No comáis! | ¡No viváis! |
| Usted | ¡No hable! | ¡No coma! | ¡No viva! |
| Ustedes | ¡No hablen! | ¡No coman! | ¡No vivan! |
| Nosotros | ¡No hablemos! | ¡No comamos! | ¡No vivamos! |
For all irregulars: Since ALL negative commands use , the irregulars are exactly the same. Learn them once, use them everywhere!
When using object pronouns (direct, indirect, or reflexive) with commands, their placement changes depending on whether the command is affirmative or negative. This is a very important rule!
Need a refresher on RID order and clitic placement? .
Pronouns go AFTER the verb and are attached to it
Hablar + me =
¡Háblame! (Talk to me!)
Decir + lo =
¡Dilo! (Say it!)
Levantarse (reflexive) =
¡Levántate! (Get up!)
Dar + me + lo =
¡Dámelo! (Give it to me!)
📌 Note: When you attach pronouns, you often need to add an to maintain the original stress (háblame, levántate, dámelo).
Pronouns go BEFORE the verb and are separated
No + me + hablar =
¡No me hables! (Don't talk to me!)
No + lo + decir =
¡No lo digas! (Don't say it!)
No + te + levantar =
¡No te levantes! (Don't get up!)
No + me + lo + dar =
¡No me lo des! (Don't give it to me!)
📌 Note: With negative commands, no are needed because the pronouns are separate words.
Quick Summary:
Affirmative → Attach AFTER: ¡Háblame! ¡Dilo! ¡Levántate!
Negative → Separate BEFORE: ¡No me hables! ¡No lo digas! ¡No te levantes!
In everyday Spanish, many people avoid using the imperative conjugations entirely and instead use hay que (one must / you have to / we need to). This is extremely common and sounds less direct or harsh than a command.
¡Come las verduras!
Eat the vegetables!
Direct command
¡Estudia más!
Study more!
Direct command
¡Hablen español!
Speak Spanish!
Direct command (formal plural)
Hay que comer las verduras.
One must eat the vegetables.
Softer, more general
Hay que estudiar más.
We/You need to study more.
Softer, more general
Hay que hablar español.
We/You should speak Spanish.
Softer, more general
💡 When to Use Hay Que
"Hay que" is impersonal (no specific person) and sounds less commanding. It's perfect for giving advice, stating general rules, or making suggestions without being too direct. This is why it's so commonly used in everyday conversation; it feels more polite and less bossy!
The imperative is one of the most practical and useful moods in Spanish for everyday conversation. A tutor can help you practice giving commands naturally, understanding when to be formal vs informal, and using "hay que" appropriately in real contexts.