14.2 Grammar Guide: Spanish Familiar (tú) Commands

Vocabulary flashcards covering the formation and usage of Spanish familiar (tú) commands, including irregulars and pronoun placement rules.

Familiar (tú) commands usage

Used to give an order or advice to someone that you normally address with tú.

Affirmative tú commands formation

Usually have the same form as the usted/él/ella form of the present indicative.

Negative tú commands formation

Have the same form as the tú form of the present subjunctive.

Negative tú command spelling change: -car

The 'c' changes to 'qu' (e.g., sacar becomes no saques).

Negative tú command spelling change: -gar

The 'g' changes to 'gu' (e.g., apagar becomes no apagues).

Negative tú command spelling change: -zar

The 'z' changes to 'c' (e.g., almorzar becomes no almuerces).

Stem changes in negative familiar commands

They keep the same stem changes as the indicative (e.g., No pierdas el mapa).

Affirmative tú command: decir

di

Affirmative tú command: hacer

haz

Affirmative tú command: ir

ve

Affirmative tú command: poner

pon

Affirmative tú command: salir

sal

Affirmative tú command: ser

sé

Affirmative tú command: tener

ten

Affirmative tú command: venir

ven

Irregular negative tú command: dar

no des

Irregular negative tú command: estar

no estés

Irregular negative tú command: ir

no vayas

Irregular negative tú command: saber

no sepas

Irregular negative tú command: ser

no seas

The command 'Ve'

The same tú command form for both 'ir' (go) and 'ver' (watch); context determines the meaning.

Pronoun placement (Affirmative commands)

Reflexive and object pronouns are attached to the end of the command.

Pronoun placement (Negative commands)

Reflexive and object pronouns are placed before the verb.

Written accent mark rule

Used when a pronoun is attached to a command of more than two syllables (e.g., Alégrate).