Spanish Affirmative Tú Commands for Everyday Instructions
Spanish Affirmative Tú Commands for Everyday Instructions
In this lesson, you will give short affirmative instructions to one person you address as tú. You will learn the regular affirmative tú command and eight common irregular forms.
Regular affirmative tú commands
For a regular affirmative tú command, use the same form as the present-tense él / ella / usted form.
- → — speak
- comer → come — eat
- → — write
- → — open
Regular -AR command
- — Speak more slowly.
- — Listen to the audio.
- — Look at the screen.
Regular -ER command
- Come — Eat here.
- — Drink water.
- — Read the message.
Regular -IR command
- — Write your name.
- — Open the door.
Eight common irregular affirmative tú commands
| Infinitive | Command | English |
|---|---|---|
| — to say / tell | say / tell | |
| — to do / make | do / make | |
| — to go | go | |
| — to put | put | |
| — to leave / go out | leave / go out | |
| — to be | be | |
| — to have | have | |
| — to come | come |
Use the irregular forms in everyday instructions
- — Say your name.
- — Do the exercise.
- — Go to reception.
- — Put the book on the table.
- — Leave the room.
- — Be patient.
- — Be careful.
- — Come here.
For this lesson, — patient and — Be careful are useful instruction phrases.
Infinitive versus direct command
Compare:
- — to open
- — Open the door.
- — to write
- — Write your name.
The infinitive names the action. The command directly tells one tú listener to perform it.
Command versus present statement
Context and punctuation help distinguish the functions.
- — He / she speaks Spanish.
- — Speak Spanish.
The written form can be identical. The surrounding context tells you whether it is a statement or a direct instruction.
Polite context still matters
An affirmative command can sound direct. Use it where a direct instruction is appropriate, such as a familiar task, recipe, classroom activity, or practical instruction.
You can soften a request with por favor.
— Write your name, please.
Classroom instructions
- — Open the book.
- — Read the text.
- — Write the answer.
- — Listen and repeat.
Household instructions
- — Put the cup on the table.
- — Open the window.
- — Come to the kitchen.
For this lesson, — cup and — kitchen are useful household words that prepare for the next lesson.
Do not form negative commands yet
This lesson covers only affirmative tú commands. Negative tú commands use a different formation and are taught later.
Do not attach pronouns yet
Affirmative commands can combine with attached pronouns, but that spelling and placement system is reserved for a later lesson. Keep the command separate from pronouns here.
Short instruction sequence
— Open the book. Read the text. Write the answer. Afterward, say the answer.
A practical command method
- Confirm that you are addressing one person as tú.
- For a regular affirmative command, use the familiar third-person singular present form.
- Memorize , , , , , , , and .
- Distinguish an infinitive label from a direct instruction.
- Use an appropriate tone and context.
- Keep this lesson affirmative only.
- Do not attach object pronouns yet.
From Commands to Cooking and Household Actions
You can now give short affirmative tú instructions with regular and common irregular command forms. The next lesson introduces cooking, household chores, and practical action verbs in Spanish.