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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn the negative imperative for irregular Spanish verbs like 'dar' (no des) and 'ir' (no vayas), using 'no' plus present subjunctive forms for clear prohibitions.
  1. Use the word no before the verb.
  2. For irregular "-ar" verbs, change the ending to "-e". For example: "pienso" => "no pienses (tú)".
  3. For irregular verbs ending in "-er" and "-ir", change the ending to "-a". For example: "pongo" => "no pongas (tú)".
PronombreVerbos acabados en -arVerbos acabados en -er/-ir
Tú + forma del verbo al presente del subjuntivo 

-es

¡No des! (DAR)

-as

¡no vayas! (IR)

Vosotros/-as + forma del verbo al presente del subjuntivo 

-éis

¡No deis! (DAR)

-áis

¡no vayáis! (IR)

Exceptions!

  1. Irregular verbs like ser and ir do not follow the regular conjugation rules.

Exercise 1: El imperativo negativo: los verbos irregulares

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

tengáis, hagas, vayas, vayáis, digas, seáis, seas

1.
Hacer (Tú): Es importante que no ... ese error otra vez.
(Do (You): It is important that you do not make that mistake again.)
2.
Ser (Vosotros): ¡No ... tímidos y pedid ayuda!
(You (plural): Don't be shy and ask for help!)
3.
Ir (Tú): ¡No ... a hacer una llamada con otro teléfono!
(You: Don't make a call with another phone!)
4.
Decir (Tú): Por favor, no ... nada al nuevo compañero.
(Say (You): Please, do not say anything to the new colleague.)
5.
Ser (Vosotros): ¡No ... tan confiados!
(Don’t be so confident!)
6.
Sentirse (Vosotros): Chicos, no ... miedo de participar.
(Feel (You all): Guys, don't be afraid to participate.)
7.
Ser (Tú): Por favor, no ... tan negativo en el equipo.
(Be (You): Please, don't be so negative in the team.)
8.
Ir (Vosotros):¡No ... solos al evento de equipo!
(Go (You all): Don't go alone to the team event!)

Negative Imperative: Irregular Verbs in Spanish

This lesson focuses on the negative imperative mood in Spanish, specifically dealing with irregular verbs. It is designed for learners at the A2 level who want to understand how to form commands or instructions telling someone not to do something.

What is the Negative Imperative?

The negative imperative is used to give orders or instructions that prohibit an action. In Spanish, you always place the word "no" before the verb to express this negation.

How to Form Negative Commands with Irregular Verbs

Unlike regular verbs, irregular verbs in Spanish have unique conjugation patterns in the negative imperative, especially for verbs ending in -ar, -er, and -ir.

  • For -ar verbs, use the present subjunctive tú form ending in -es. For example, from dar (to give), use ¡No des!.
  • For -er and -ir verbs, use the present subjunctive tú form ending in -as. Example: from ir (to go), use ¡No vayas!.

Other Pronouns

The same rule applies for vosotros/-as:

  • -ar verbs end in -éis: ¡No deis! (dar)
  • -er/-ir verbs end in -áis: ¡No vayáis! (ir)

Important Notes About Irregular Verbs

Some common verbs like ser (to be) and ir (to go) do not follow the normal patterns of conjugation in the negative imperative and must be memorized separately.

Examples and Useful Expressions

  • ¡No des! – Don’t give!
  • ¡No vayas! – Don’t go!
  • ¡No penséis! – Don’t think! (from pensar)
  • ¡No pongas! – Don’t put! (from poner)

Comparing Spanish to English

In English, negative commands also use "do not" or the contraction "don’t" before the verb (e.g., Don't go!). However, Spanish requires specific verb endings based on the subjunctive mood, which differs in each person and verb type. Understanding these unique verb forms is essential for correct negative commands in Spanish.

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