The 34th Word of the Month is: IMPERATIVE

This word originally appeared in our Spanish word of the month by email

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Introduction

This month's Word of the Month is the IMPERATIVE. The imperative is used to give orders, instructions, etc.



INTRODUCTION TO THE IMPERATIVE

In English the imperative is very easy. When we want to give a command or an instruction we just say the verb, e.g. Sit down, Come in, Don't smoke, Listen to me, Shut up, Don't speak to me like that, etc.

In Spanish it is much more complicated because the imperative changes according to who we are speaking to and also sometimes we must decide if we want to use the formal version or the informal version. This can be complicated and can be difficult when you are using verbs that you don't use in the imperative very often.

There is also a cultural difference.
Generally speaking in English-speaking cultures we avoid using the imperative when speaking to someone we don't know and we use softer versions.
For example, it could be considered quite rude in England to go into a shop and say:
"Give me a can of peas." You would probably say, "Can I have a can of peas please?"

Generally speaking, in Spanish it is more acceptable to use unsoftened imperatives so you shouldn't get offended when a Spanish person uses the unsoftened imperative.

To summarise: There is a fine line between what we would consider an "order" or a "request" in English and in Spanish there are differences. There are also many differences in different parts of the world.

IMPERATIVE
There are basically 4 forms of the imperative:
1. tú (singular, familiar)
2. usted (singular, polite)
3. vosotros (plural, familiar)
4. ustedes (plural, polite)
TÚ FORM (INFORMAL)

AFFIRMATIVE:
Use the third person (he/she) indicative form:

-AR VERBS:
Toma. Usa este lápiz.

-ER VERBS:
Come más depacio.

-IR VERBS:
Parte el pastel en ocho.
Oye, ¿tienes fuego?
Note: oír = to hear/listen (also used to attract someone's attention)

RADICAL CHANGING VERBS follow the same pattern:
Cierra la puerta.

NEGATIVE:
Use the subjunctive tú form:
No fumes aquí.
No digas eso.





Here you are. Use this pencil.


Eat slower.


Cut the cake into eight.
Excuse me, do you have a light?




Close the door.


Don't smoke here.
Don't say that.

VOSOTROS FORM (INFORMAL)

AFFIRMATIVE:
Take the infinitive, remove the r and add d:

-AR VERBS:
Hablad menos fuerte.

-ER VERBS:
Tened paciencia.

-IR VERBS:
Venid aquí.

NEGATIVE:
Use the vosotros subjunctive form of the verb:
No mováis.
No habléis todos a la vez.





Speak quieter.


Be patient.


Come here.



Don't move.
Don't all speak at the same time.
USTED/USTEDES FORM (POLITE)

AFFIRMATIVE:
Use the third person singular or plural subjunctive form:
Mueva esta silla.
Esperen aquí.

NEGATIVE:
Use the third person singular or plural subjunctive form:
No compre comida en esa tienda.
No lleven los libros a casa.




Move this chair.
Wait here.




Don't buy food in that shop.
Don't take the books home.
IRREGULAR IMPERATIVES FOR THE TÚ FORM
DECIR: di
Dime lo que quieres.
to say, tell
Tell me what you want.

HACER: haz
Haz un esfuerzo.

to do, make
Make an effort.
IR: ve
Vete a casa.		to go
Go home.
PONER: pon
Pon los platos encima de la mesa.		to put
Put the plates on the table.
SALIR: sal
Sal inmediatamente de aquí.		to leave, go out
Leave here immediately.
SER: sé
Sé bueno.		to be
Be good.
TENER: ten
Ten cuidado.		to have
Be careful.
VENIR: ven
Ven aquí.

to come
Come here

REFLEXIVE VERBS

AFFIRMATIVE:
In the affirmative form, the reflexive pronoun is joined to the imperative form:
Siéntate aquí.
NOTE: you will need to put an accent on the verb to show the stress.

If you use os with the VOSOTROS form, the imperative loses the d:
Sentaos.
Callaos.

NEGATIVE:
In the negative form, the reflexive pronoun goes before the verb:
No te cases con él.
No os quejéis tanto.




Sit down here.





Sit down.
Shut up.



Don't marry him.
Don't complain so much.

ORDER OF OBJECT PRONOUNS
AFFIRMATIVE:
In the affirmative form, the object pronouns are joined to the imperative form, first the indirect (to who), then the direct (what):
Dámelo.
Dáselo.
NOTE: you will need to put an accent on the verb to show the stress



Give it to me.
Give it to him/her.
INFINITIVE

It is common to see the infinitive used informally on written signs:
"No hablar con el conductor"

A more polite formal possibility is to use:
Se ruega + infintive
Se ruega no fumar en el aula.



"Don't talk to the driver."



Please don't smoke in the classroom.
VERY STRONG IMPERATIVE
This could be called the end of your tether imperative for very insistent statements.
I think it is supposed to be "Quiero que te ......." (I want that you .....) but the "quiero" part is never said. Here are some examples.

¡Qué te calles de una vez!
¡Qué te vayas!
¡Qué me dejes en paz!

Will you just SHUT UP!!
Just go.
Just leave me alone.


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