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Learn the informal affirmative imperative forms for "tú" (e.g., di, contesta, trabaja) and "vosotros" (e.g., decid, contestad, trabajad), including irregular verbs like "ten" and "haz", to give clear orders and advice in everyday Spanish.
  1. For tú, the third person singular of the present is used.
  2. For vosotros, use the infinitive without -r + -d.
  3. Irregular verbs have their own form: ten, haz.
Pronombre (Pronoun)Forma (Form)Ejemplo (Example)
TúDiDi la verdad.
VosotrosDecidDecid lo que pensáis.
Tú ContestaContesta al móvil. (Answer the phone.)
Vosotros ContestadContestad profesionalmente en todo momento. (Answer professionally at all times.)
TúTrabaja¡Trabaja con entusiasmo!
VosotrosTrabajad¡Trabajad! (¡Work!)

Exercise 1: Imperativo afirmativo informal: "Tú" y "Vosotros"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Preséntate, Envía, Firmad, Trabaja, Devolved, Abre, Habla, Sé

1. Devolver: vosotros:
... los formularios firmados.
(Return the signed forms.)
2. Enviar: tú:
... el currículum cuanto antes.
(Send the CV as soon as possible.)
3. Abrir: tú:
... la puerta cuando llegue el jefe.
(Open the door when the boss arrives.)
4. Firmar: vosotros:
... esto rápido, que tenemos prisa.
(Sign this quickly, we're in a hurry.)
5. Presentarse: tú:
... cuando llegues, sin miedo.
(Introduce yourself when you arrive, without fear.)
6. Trabajar: tú:
... duro y con entusiasmo.
(Work hard and enthusiastically.)
7. Ser: tú:
... puntual, por favor.
(Be punctual, please.)
8. Hablar: tú:
... sin pensar tanto, dilo directo.
(Speak without thinking too much, say it straight.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence using the informal affirmative imperative to give an order or advice in "tú" or "vosotros". Pay attention to the verb form, especially in irregular verbs and the ending for "vosotros".

1.
The form "hazs" is incorrect; the imperative for "tú" of "hacer" is "haz" without 's'.
"Haces" is the present indicative form, not the imperative form.
2.
"Contestáis" is present indicative, not imperative.
The form "contestadid" has an incorrect ending; for "vosotros" imperative it is "contestad".
3.
"Tenes" is not correct for "tú" in imperative; the correct form is "ten".
"Tienes" is indicative, not imperative.
4.
"Trabajadéis" is not a correct form; the imperative for "vosotros" ends in "-d", not in "-éis".
"Trabajas" is present indicative, not imperative.

Understanding the Informal Affirmative Imperative: "Tú" and "Vosotros"

This lesson focuses on how to give direct commands or advice informally in Spanish using the imperativo afirmativo informal forms for the pronouns tú (you singular, informal) and vosotros (you plural, informal, mainly used in Spain).

How to Form the Imperative for "Tú" and "Vosotros"

  • Tú form: Use the third person singular form of the present tense. For example, di from decir (to say) gives Di la verdad.
  • Vosotros form: Remove the -r from the infinitive and add -d. For example, decir becomes decid, as in Decid lo que pensáis.

Examples of Verbs and Commands

PronounFormExample
TúDiDi la verdad.
VosotrosDecidDecid lo que pensáis.
TúContestaContesta al móvil.
VosotrosContestadContestad profesionalmente en todo momento.
TúTrabaja¡Trabaja con entusiasmo!
VosotrosTrabajad¡Trabajad!

Irregular Forms

Some verbs are irregular in the imperative for tú and have their own special forms. For example:

  • Tener (to have): ten
  • Hacer (to do/make): haz

Key Points to Remember

  • Use the third person singular present form as the imperative for tú, except in irregular verbs.
  • For vosotros, form the imperative by dropping the -r from the infinitive and adding -d.
  • Irregular imperative forms must be memorized as they do not follow the regular rules.

Comparing Spanish Imperatives with English

In English, giving commands informally usually involves the base verb alone: "Speak!" or "Listen!" Spanish, however, conjugates commands differently depending on the subject pronoun, which is often omitted because the command form itself identifies the subject.

Useful expressions:

  • Di la verdad. — "Tell the truth." (Using tú)
  • Decid lo que pensáis. — "Say what you think." (Using vosotros)
  • Ten cuidado. — "Be careful." (Irregular imperative for tú)

This distinction is essential for polite and appropriate communication in Spanish, especially when addressing friends, family, or groups in informal settings.

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