Mastering Spanish Informal Commands: A Beginner’s Guide
Hola! If you’re reading this article, it’s likely you’re already familiar with some Spanish vocabulary or phrases. Maybe you’ve taken some lessons, traveled to a Spanish-speaking country, or have a Spanish-speaking friend. Whatever the reason may be, you are now ready to take the next step and learn about informal commands- a crucial aspect of communicating in Spanish.
Informal commands are used when speaking to someone we know well, such as a friend or family member. They’re also commonly used in social settings where it’s appropriate to use a more relaxed tone. For example, if you want to ask your friend to grab you a coffee, you would say “Trae un café” (Bring me a coffee) using an informal command.
Let’s dive into the basics of mastering Spanish informal commands!
The Two Forms of Informal Commands
There are two forms of informal commands in Spanish: affirmative (tú), and negative (tú). The affirmative informal command is used when giving straightforward directions, whereas the negative informal command is used when directing someone to not do a task.
To form the affirmative informal command, drop the “-s” from the tú form of the verb. For example:
Tú – hablar (to talk)
Affirmative informal command – Habla (Talk!)
To form the negative informal command, you need to use the present subjunctive form of the verb. For example:
Tú – no hablar (to not talk)
Negative informal command – No hables (Don’t talk!)
Irregular Informal Commands
Of course, there are always some Spanish verbs that don’t follow the standard rules when it comes to forming informal commands. Some irregular verbs include “venir” (to come), “decir” (to say), and “hacer” (to make). Below are some examples of the irregular informal commands:
Venir – Ven (Come)
Decir – Di (Say/Tell)
Hacer – Haz (Make/Do)
It’s important to memorize these irregular forms since they are frequently used in conversation.
Examples in Context
To better understand and practice using informal commands, let’s go over some examples in context.
Affirmative informal commands:
– Come la comida (Eat the food)
– Toca la guitarra (Play the guitar)
– Ve al mercado (Go to the market)
Negative informal commands:
– No hablas con extraños (Don’t talk to strangers)
– No comas demasiado (Don’t eat too much)
– No mires la televisión toda la noche (Don’t watch TV all night)
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have just learned about mastering Spanish informal commands. Remember to practice, practice, practice and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The more you practice, the easier it will become to communicate in informal settings. Incorporate these phrases into your daily conversations with Spanish-speaking friends or coworkers to improve your fluency. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
