Have you ever ever wanted to inform somebody to do one thing in Spanish? You would possibly have to ask a buddy to go you one thing or give instructions to a taxi driver. In these conditions, you’ll use the Spanish crucial temper – the shape used to offer instructions in Spanish and directions.
On this information, we’ll discover when to make use of the crucial temper, the way to type instructions for various private pronouns, and particular instances like unfavorable instructions and reflexive verbs.
By the top, you’ll have all of the instruments it is advisable to confidently give instructions in Spanish like a local speaker, complementing what you be taught in your on-line Spanish classes.
When to make use of the Spanish crucial
The crucial temper is used whenever you wish to inform somebody to do one thing. In Spanish, like in English, you should utilize instructions in varied conditions. A few of these are:
- Giving direct orders or instructions: ¡Limpia tu habitación! (Clear your room!)
- Making requests: Por favor, pásame la sal (Please go me the salt)
- Providing recommendation or solutions: Estudia más si quieres aprobar (Examine extra if you wish to go)
- Giving instructions: Gira a la derecha en la próxima calle (Flip proper on the subsequent avenue)
- Writing directions or recipes: Añade dos cucharadas de azúcar (Add two tablespoons of sugar)
Not like some languages, Spanish has completely different imperatives based mostly on who you’re speaking to: Casual or formal, singular or plural. Let’s dive into the way to type these Spanish instructions appropriately!
Crucial type for affirmative instructions
The Spanish crucial can initially appear difficult as a result of there are completely different kinds for giving directions (affirmative instructions – i.e., go to your room) and prohibitions (unfavorable instructions – i.e., don’t come to work). Don’t fear – we’ll break these down step-by-step, beginning with affirmative kinds.
1. Crucial for “tú” (second particular person singular, casual)
The tú (you) type is used when talking extra casually to an individual. To type the crucial for tú (you) with common verbs, you need to comply with these steps:
- Begin with the current tense of the second-person singular type
- Take away the ultimate “-s” of the phrase
Let’s see how this works with examples:
Current tense |
Crucial |
||
-ar |
Hablar (to talk) |
||
-er |
Comer (to eat) |
||
-ir |
Vivir (to stay) |
Nonetheless, there are some irregular kinds in Spanish imperatives that you just’ll have to memorize:
Verb |
Use instance |
|
Ir (to go) |
Ve |
Ve al supermercado (Go to the grocery store) |
Salir (to exit) |
Sal |
Sal de la habitación, por favor (Exit of the room, please) |
Poner (to place) |
Pon |
Pon los platos sobre la mesa, por favor (Put the plates on the desk, please) |
Decir (to say) |
Di |
Di la verdad sobre lo que pasó (Inform the reality about what occurred) |
Venir (to come back) |
Ven |
Ven a mi casa para cenar esta noche (Come to my home for dinner tonight) |
Hacer (to do) |
Haz |
Haz los deberes antes de jugar (Do your homework earlier than enjoying) |
Tener (to have) |
Ten |
Ten paciencia con los niños (Have persistence with the youngsters) |
Ser (to be) |
Sé |
Sé amable con tus compañeros (Be type to your classmates) |
2. Crucial for “nosotros/as” (first particular person plural)
The nosotros/as (we) type is used when together with your self within the command, like “Let’s do one thing.” This type follows a singular sample:
- Begin with the first-person singular of the current indicative type
- Drop the “-o” ending
- Add “-emos” for “-ar” verbs or “-amos” for “-er/-ir” verbs
Right here’s a desk displaying how this works:
Verb ending |
Infinitive |
Current tense (yo, I) |
Crucial |
-ar |
Hablar (to talk) |
Hablo (habl-o) |
Hablemos |
-er |
Comer (to eat) |
Como (com-o) |
Comamos |
-ir |
Vivir (to stay) |
Vivo (viv-o) |
Vivamos |
And listed here are some irregular verbs that exist:
Verb |
Irregular crucial type |
Use instance |
Hacer (to do) |
Hagamos |
Hagamos un pastel para la fiesta (Let’s make a cake for the social gathering) |
Ser (to be) |
Seamos |
Seamos responsables con el medio ambiente (Let’s be accountable with the atmosphere) |
Ir (to go) |
Vayamos |
Vayamos al cine esta noche (Let’s go to the flicks tonight) |
3. Crucial for “vosotros/as” (second particular person plural, casual)
The vosotros/as (you all) type is utilized in Spain when addressing a number of folks informally. To type this:
- Begin with the infinitive
- Substitute the ultimate “-r” with “-d”
Verb ending |
Infinitive |
Crucial |
-ar |
Hablar (to talk) |
|
-er |
Comer (to eat) |
Comed |
-ir |
Vivir (to stay) |
Vivid |
Let’s see the way to use them in actual sentences:
- Comprad los ingredientes para la cena (Purchase the substances for dinner)
- Comed todas vuestras verduras (Eat all of your greens)
- Escribid vuestros nombres en la hoja (Write your names on the sheet)
4. Crucial for “usted/ustedes” (third particular person singular and plural, formal)
When talking formally to at least one particular person (like a boss, an aged particular person, or somebody you don’t know properly), you’ll use the usted (you) type. To type the crucial for usted, it is advisable to:
- Begin with the first-person singular of the current indicative
- Drop the “-o” ending
- Add “-e” for “-ar” verbs or “-a” for “-er/-ir” verbs
Let’s see it in place so it’s simpler to know:
Verb ending |
Infinitive |
Current tense (yo, I) |
Crucial |
-ar |
Hablar (to talk) |
Hablo (habl-o) |
Hable |
-er |
Comer (to eat) |
Como (com-o) |
Coma |
-ir |
Vivir (to stay) |
Vivo (viv-o) |
Viva |
There are additionally some irregular kinds for the usted crucial:
Verb |
Irregular crucial type |
Use instance |
Hacer (to do) |
Haga |
Haga el ejercicio correctamente (Do the train appropriately) |
Salir (to exit) |
Salga |
Salga por la puerta principal (Exit by the principle door) |
Ir (to go) |
Vaya |
Vaya directamente a la oficina del director (Go on to the principal’s workplace) |
Ser (to be) |
Sea |
Sea paciente con los niños, por favor (Be affected person with the youngsters, please) |
To type the plural, you solely want so as to add an “-n” to the crucial type. For instance:
- To talk: (Usted) hable – (Ustedes) hablen
- To eat: (Usted) coma – (Ustedes) coman
- To exit: (Usted) salga – (Ustedes) salgan
Crucial type for unfavorable instructions
You’ll use the unfavorable crucial type in Spanish whenever you wish to inform somebody NOT to do one thing. The excellent news is that each one these unfavorable kinds comply with the identical sample – all of them use the phrase “no.” Plus, they use the current subjunctive type (usually used when speaking about needs, potentialities, or issues that is probably not actual but.)
Right here’s a desk displaying the way to conjugate every particular person utilizing the verb hablar (to talk):
Individual |
Detrimental type |
Tú (you) |
No hables |
Usted (you, formal) |
No hable |
Nosotros/as (we) |
No hablemos |
Vosotros/as (you, plural) |
No habléis |
Ustedes (you, formal and plural) |
No hablen |
Let’s see some examples:
- No comas tantos dulces (Don’t eat so many sweets)
- No vayáis por ese camino (Don’t go that manner)
- No piensen que esto es fácil (Don’t suppose that is straightforward)
Reflexive verbs within the crucial
Reflexive verbs are verbs the place the particular person doing the motion additionally receives it. In Spanish, these verbs finish with “se” of their infinitive type (like lavarse (to clean oneself) or vestirse (to decorate oneself)). When conjugated, they use a pronoun connected to the verb that matches the particular person performing the motion.
Right here’s a complete desk displaying the way to type these verbs utilizing, for instance, the verb lavarse (to clean oneself):
Individual |
Pronoun |
Affirmative type |
Detrimental type |
(you) |
te |
Lávate (wash your self) |
No te leaves (don’t wash your self) |
(you, formal) |
se |
Lávese (wash your self) |
No se lave (don’t wash your self) |
(we) |
nos |
Lavémonos (let’s wash ourselves) |
No nos lavemos (let’s not wash ourselves) |
(you, plural) |
os |
Lavaos (wash yourselves) |
No os lavéis (don’t wash yourselves) |
(you, formal and plural) |
se |
Lávense (wash yourselves) |
No se laven (don’t wash yourselves) |
Word that for the vosotros/as (you all) type with reflexive verbs, the “-d” is dropped earlier than including the pronoun “os.”
Utilizing the infinitive instead of the crucial
In some conditions, Spanish audio system use the infinitive type as an alternative of the crucial, notably in:
- Public indicators and notices: No fumar (No smoking)
- Recipes and directions: Batir los huevos (Beat the eggs)
- Impersonal directives: ¡A comer! (Time to eat!)
This type is much less private and extra common than the usual crucial kinds.
Examine the Spanish crucial with Preply
Mastering the crucial temper in Spanish is crucial for efficient communication, whether or not giving instructions or making requests. Whereas the assorted kinds could initially appear complicated, common apply will enable you to grow to be comfy utilizing them in on a regular basis Spanish.
If you happen to resolve to be taught Spanish on-line with Preply, you’ll have entry to native audio system who will help you excellent your pronunciation and assist with the usage of the Spanish crucial in real-life conversations. So, what are you ready for? Begin your journey with Preply and achieve confidence in your Spanish-speaking skills!