Quick and easy explanation to understand the Imperative in Spanish

1. Imperativos
How to give orders in Spanish

2. How to give orders to …. you (tú)
Take the third person singular (he/she/it) of the
verb in the PRESENT TENSE
For example:
Bailar (to dance) Baila (he/she/it dances)
You, dance! – Baila!
Other examples:
Come! (you, eat!) Duerme (you, sleep!)

3. How to give orders to …. Us (nosotros)
1. Take the first person singular (I) of the verb in the PRESENT TENSE
For example:
Bailar Bailo (I dance)
2. Take out the –o
bail
3. If it is a AR verb (cantar) add – emos. Ex: Cantemos
If it is a ER verb (comer) or a IR verb (vivir) add – amos Ex1: Comamos. Ex2: Vivamos.
Let’s dance! – Bailemos!

4. Some irregular ones!
• Vamos – Let’s go! (comes from IR, to go)
• Vámonos – Let’s go (away)! (comes from IR, to go)
• Seamos – Let’s be! (comes from SER, to be in a
permanent state)
• Esteamos – Let’s be! (comes from ESTAR, to be in a
temporary state)
• Sepamos – Let’s know/let’s find out (comes from SABER,
to know)
EXAMPLES
• Vamos a la playa! – Let’s go to
the beach
• Vámonos de casa! – Let’s go
away from home.
• Seamos honestos- Let’s be
honest.
• Esteamos seguros – Let’s be
sure.
• Sepamos lo que pasa- Let’s
know/find out what happens.

5. How to give orders to …. You guys (vosotros)
1. Take the infinitive of the verb. Remember, the infinitive ends in AR, ER, or IR.
Examples: Bailar, comer, dormir.
2. Take out the –r and add a –d.
Bailar Baila Bailad (you guys, dance!)
Other examples:
Comed! (you guys, eat!)
Dormid! (you guys, sleep!)

6. Muy bien!
Well done!