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Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands)

1 Spanish Irregular Commands: The 8 Short Forms (Tú) 2 Negative Tú Commands: The 'Don't Do It' Switch 3 Giving Friendly Orders: Affirmative Tú Commands 4 Polite Spanish Commands (Usted/Ustedes) 5 The Irregular Eight: Quick Commands (haz, di, ven) 6 Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands) 7 Spanish Informal Commands: Telling Friends What to Do (Tú Commands)

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A2 Commands & Imperatives 14 min read Easy

Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands)

To tell a friend 'don't', use 'no' plus the opposite present tense ending on the 'yo' stem.

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Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

To tell a friend 'don't' do something, use the 'yo' form, drop the 'o', and add the opposite ending.

For -AR verbs, use the -es ending (e.g., No hables).
For -ER/-IR verbs, use the -as ending (e.g., No comas).
Always put the word 'No' before the verb.

No + (Yo form - o) + (Opposite ending) + Verb

Overview

In Spanish, telling someone not to do something using the informal tú form involves a distinct grammatical mechanism. Unlike affirmative tú commands, which often resemble the third-person singular of the present indicative (Habla, Come), negative tú commands utilize the Present Subjunctive. This shift is not arbitrary; it reflects a fundamental linguistic principle where prohibitions and expressions of desire or influence are channeled through the subjunctive mood.

For A2 learners, mastering this difference is essential for expressing warnings, prohibitions, and strong advice naturally to friends, family, and peers. It also serves as a foundational step toward understanding the broader application of the subjunctive, a cornerstone of Spanish grammar. Recognizing and correctly applying this rule prevents miscommunication and significantly enhances fluency in informal settings.

How This Grammar Works

The core reason Spanish employs the Present Subjunctive for negative tú commands lies in the inherent nature of the message conveyed. The Indicative mood is used for facts, certainty, and objective statements, such as Tú corres (You run). Conversely, the Subjunctive mood communicates subjectivity, including desires, wishes, emotions, doubts, and critically, influence or command over another's actions.

When you issue a negative command like No corras (Don't run), you are not merely negating the action of running. Instead, you are expressing a strong desire, prohibition, or instruction for the listener to refrain from that action. This act of influencing or directing another's behavior naturally aligns with the subjunctive's function.

While affirmative commands often appear as direct, factual instructions to perform an action, negative commands aim to prevent one. The language treats forbidding an action as an expression of the speaker's will or desire, thus placing it within the subjunctive realm. For example, No abras la puerta (Don't open the door) is an expression of will to prevent the door from being opened.

Understanding this conceptual link—that negative commands signify influence and desire—is key to grasping why the subjunctive is indispensable here. It reveals a more sophisticated way Spanish handles commands, distinguishing between merely stating an action and actively influencing its non-occurrence.

Formation Pattern

Forming negative tú commands precisely involves a three-step process rooted in the Present Subjunctive. This method, often termed the "Yo-Drop-Swap" technique, starts with the yo form of the present indicative and modifies it to yield the correct subjunctive command. This systematic approach ensures accuracy for most verbs.

1. Start with the yo form of the verb in the Present Indicative.

This serves as the consistent base for conjugation.

hablar (to speak) → yo hablo

comer (to eat) → yo como

escribir (to write) → yo escribo

2. Drop the -o ending.

This step isolates the verb stem that will carry the subjunctive ending.

hablo → habl-

como → com-

escribo → escrib-

3. Add the "opposite" tú subjunctive ending.

This is where the infinitive verb ending dictates the subjunctive ending:

For verbs ending in -ar in the infinitive, add -es.

For verbs ending in -er or -ir in the infinitive, add -as.

Here’s a clear illustration of this pattern:

| :-------- | :--------- | :----------------------------- | :----------------------- | :----------------------------- | :--------------------- |

| -ER | comer | como | com- | -as | no comas |

| -ER | beber | bebo | beb- | -as | no bebas |

| -IR | vivir | vivo | viv- | -as | no vivas |

Irregular Verbs

Some verbs feature irregularities in their yo forms or are entirely irregular in the subjunctive, necessitating memorization.

Verbs with Irregular Yo Forms: Any irregularity in the present indicative yo form (beyond simply dropping -o) directly translates to the subjunctive stem.

tener (to have) → yo tengo → no tengas (Don't have)

venir (to come) → yo vengo → no vengas (Don't come)

hacer (to do/make) → yo hago → no hagas (Don't do/make)

salir (to leave) → yo salgo → no salgas (Don't leave)

decir (to say/tell) → yo digo → no digas (Don't say/tell)

Completely Irregular Subjunctive Verbs (The "DISHES" verbs): These verbs deviate significantly and do not follow the "Yo-Drop-Swap" pattern. For tú commands, the crucial ones are Dar, Ir, Saber, Estar, and Ser.

| Infinitive | Negative Tú Command |

| :--------- | :-------------------- |

| dar | no des |

| ir | no vayas |

| saber | no sepas |

| estar | no estés |

| ser | no seas |

Spelling Changes to Preserve Sound

Verbs ending in -car, -gar, and -zar undergo spelling changes in the subjunctive to maintain phonetic consistency. This is a sound-driven rule, not an arbitrary irregularity.

| :--------- | :-------- | :---- | :--------------------------------- | :-------------------- |

Stem-Changing Verbs

Stem changes present in the indicative mood (e → ie, o → ue, e → i) are preserved in the subjunctive. The stem change occurs before applying the "opposite" ending.

cerrar (e → ie): yo cierro → no cierres (Don't close)

volver (o → ue): yo vuelvo → no vuelvas (Don't return)

pedir (e → i): yo pido → no pidas (Don't ask)

dormir (o → ue, o → u): yo duermo → no duermas (Don't sleep)

Crucially, the negative word (no, nunca, jamás, tampoco) always precedes the conjugated verb in a negative tú command.

When To Use It

Negative tú commands are employed in informal contexts to prohibit actions, issue warnings, or offer strong advice. They are indispensable for communicating directly with individuals you address with tú, such as friends, family, children, or close associates. Their usage spans a range of everyday situations.

Prohibitions and Warnings: To explicitly forbid an action or caution against danger.
No cruces la calle sin mirar. (Don't cross the street without looking.)
No toques el horno, está caliente. (Don't touch the oven, it's hot.)
No conduzcas cansado. (Don't drive tired.)

Advice and Suggestions: To provide firm guidance or recommend avoiding a particular action for someone's benefit.
No te preocupes por el examen, has estudiado mucho. (Don't worry about the exam, you've studied a lot.)
No comas tan rápido. (Don't eat so fast.)
No dejes tu pasaporte en el coche. (Don't leave your passport in the car.)

Setting Boundaries: Clearly communicating what you prefer someone not to do in a personal interaction.
No me hables en ese tono, por favor. (Don't speak to me in that tone, please.)
No me llames tan tarde. (Don't call me so late.)

Requests for Inaction: Asking someone to refrain from a specific action.
No te vayas aún, quédate un rato más. (Don't leave yet, stay a bit longer.)
No cierres la puerta, por favor. (Don't close the door, please.)

Because of the inherent informality of tú, these commands are reserved for familiar relationships. Using them in formal settings with strangers, superiors, or elders would be considered impolite; in such cases, usted or ustedes commands are appropriate. The negative tú command is thus a vital linguistic tool for navigating interactions within your intimate social circle, enabling clear, direct communication of limits, warnings, and heartfelt advice.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific obstacles when forming and applying negative tú commands. Identifying these common errors and understanding their grammatical basis is crucial for developing accuracy.

Confusing Affirmative and Negative Forms: The most common error is attempting to use the affirmative tú command form with no.
Incorrect: *No habla. (Intending "Don't speak.")
Correct: No hables. (hablar is an -ar verb, requiring -es in the subjunctive tú form.)

The affirmative and negative command systems for tú are distinct. The former often uses the present indicative's third-person singular, while the latter exclusively uses the present subjunctive tú form.

Omitting the Final -s: The tú form of the present subjunctive (and consequently the negative tú command) invariably ends in -s. Learners sometimes drop this -s due to its absence in affirmative tú commands (¡Habla!).
Incorrect: *No hable. (Without -s, this becomes the usted command form.)
Correct: No hables.

Omitting the -s can mistakenly elevate the politeness level or alter the intended recipient, leading to communication breakdowns.

Incorrect Pronoun Placement: This is a critical grammatical difference between affirmative and negative commands.
Affirmative Commands: Object pronouns (direct, indirect, reflexive) attach directly to the end of the verb.
Cómelo. (Eat it.) Dímelo. (Tell it to me.)
Negative Commands: Object pronouns always precede the conjugated verb, positioned between no (or another negative word) and the verb.
Incorrect: *No comaslo.
Correct: No lo comas. (Don't eat it.)
Incorrect: *No digasme.
Correct: No me digas. (Don't tell me.)

This rule aligns with general Spanish syntax, where pronouns typically precede conjugated verbs.

Failure to Apply Stem Changes or Irregularities: Any stem change or irregular yo form in the present indicative carries over into the subjunctive and, by extension, into the negative command. Reverting to the infinitive stem is a common mistake.
Verb pensar (e → ie):
Incorrect: *No pensas.
Correct: No pienses. (Don't think.)
Verb dormir (o → ue):
Incorrect: *No dormas.
Correct: No duermas. (Don't sleep.)

Overlooking Spelling Changes for Phonetics: Verbs ending in -car, -gar, or -zar require spelling adjustments (c to qu, g to gu, z to c) to preserve their original hard k, hard g, or s sounds, respectively.
Verb tocar: *No tocas. → No toques. (Don't touch.)
Verb llegar: *No llegas. → No llegues. (Don't arrive.)

Confusing with Simple Negative Statements: A negative command (No hables) differs functionally from a simple negative statement (No hablas).
No hablas español. (You don't speak Spanish.) – A statement of fact (Indicative).
No hables español aquí. (Don't speak Spanish here.) – A command or prohibition (Subjunctive).

A single vowel difference transforms a description of reality into an attempt to influence it.

By carefully addressing these frequent errors, learners can significantly enhance their precision and confidence when using negative tú commands, ensuring their intentions are clearly conveyed.

Real Conversations

To truly grasp negative tú commands, it is crucial to observe their usage in authentic, daily conversations. These examples demonstrate how native speakers apply these commands across various informal settings, from quick exchanges to casual spoken advice, always reflecting a familiar relationship between speakers.

Scenario 1

Texting a friend about a spoiler

- Amigo 1: Acabo de ver el final de la serie, ¡qué sorpresa! (I just saw the end of the series, what a surprise!)

- Amigo 2: ¡No me lo cuentes! Todavía no lo he visto. (Don't tell me it! I haven't seen it yet.)

- No me lo cuentes (from contar) is a direct request to prevent spoiling the show. Both me (indirect object) and lo (direct object) precede the verb.

Scenario 2

Warning a child about a hot stove

- Madre: Hijo, ¡no toques la estufa! Está muy caliente. (Son, don't touch the stove! It's very hot.)

- Hijo: ¿Por qué, mamá? (Why, Mom?)

- Madre: Porque no quiero que te quemes. (Because I don't want you to burn yourself.)

- No toques (from tocar, with a spelling change) is an urgent warning. The indirect command (no quiero que te quemes) reinforces the underlying desire for safety.

Scenario 3

Offering empathetic advice to a worried friend

- Amiga 1: Estoy muy nerviosa por la entrevista de mañana. (I'm very nervous about tomorrow's interview.)

- Amiga 2: Entiendo, pero no estés tan ansiosa. Has preparado todo. Y no pienses en lo peor. (I understand, but don't be so anxious. You've prepared everything. And don't think about the worst.)

- No estés (irregular estar) and no pienses (stem-changing pensar) are comforting pieces of advice, encouraging the friend to avoid anxiety and negative thoughts.

Scenario 4

Roommates establishing house rules

- Compañero 1: ¿Podemos dejar las luces encendidas por la noche? (Can we leave the lights on at night?)

- Compañero 2: No, por favor. No dejes las luces encendidas cuando salgas, gasta mucha energía. (No, please. Don't leave the lights on when you leave, it wastes a lot of energy.)

- No dejes (from dejar) is a clear boundary-setting request concerning energy consumption.

These examples underscore that negative tú commands are not mere grammatical constructs but integral parts of daily Spanish interaction, used fluently by native speakers to manage social dynamics, provide care, and express personal preferences within informal relationships.

Quick FAQ

Q: Why can't I just say no + affirmative command? It seems simpler.

Spanish grammar differentiates between stating a fact (indicative) and expressing influence, desire, or prohibition (subjunctive). Affirmative tú commands are direct orders of action. Negative tú commands, conversely, are instructions for inaction, which linguistically falls under the realm of influencing behavior. Thus, they require the subjunctive mood. Using the incorrect indicative form (*no habla) would be grammatically incorrect and would not convey the intended prohibitive force.

Q: Do I always need to use no? Are there other negative words?

While no is the most common, other negative adverbs or phrases can also precede and trigger the subjunctive form for commands. These include nunca (never), jamás (never/ever), and tampoco (neither/not either).

Nunca hagas eso sin consultarme. (Never do that without consulting me.)
Jamás me mientas. (Never lie to me.)
Si no te gusta, tampoco lo comas. (If you don't like it, don't eat it either.)

The crucial rule is that the negative word always appears before the conjugated subjunctive verb.

Q: How do I identify verbs with irregular yo forms or stem changes that affect these commands?

This primarily requires systematic memorization and practice. When learning new verbs, always make note of their yo form in the present indicative. If this form exhibits any deviation from a simple -o ending (e.g., salgo, hago, conozco, pido) or a vowel change in the stem (cierro, vuelvo), that irregularity will carry directly into the present subjunctive and, consequently, into the negative tú command. Regular exposure and dedicated conjugation drills are the most effective strategies for internalizing these patterns.

Q: Are negative tú commands the same in Spain and Latin America?

Yes, the negative tú commands are grammatically identical across all Spanish-speaking regions. The tú subjunctive forms, which are the basis for these commands, are universally consistent. Any regional variations in informal commands primarily concern the vosotros form (used in Spain for informal plural "you"), which has distinct conjugations not used in Latin America (where ustedes serves for both formal and informal plural "you"). Therefore, when addressing a single person informally with tú, the commands remain consistent globally.

Q: How are reflexive verbs handled in negative tú commands?

Reflexive verbs follow the established pattern. The reflexive pronoun te (for tú) is always placed between the negative word (no) and the conjugated verb.

No te sientes ahí. (Don't sit there.) (sentarse)
No te preocupes. (Don't worry.) (preocuparse)
No te vayas. (Don't leave.) (irse)

This adherence to the standard pronoun placement rule ensures correct formation for reflexive negative commands.

Q: How can I soften a negative command to sound less abrupt?

While commands are direct by nature, you can mitigate their harshness by incorporating polite phrases or reframing them slightly.

Add por favor: No lo hagas, por favor. (Please, don't do it.)
Use te pido que... (I ask you to...): Te pido que no salgas tan tarde. (I ask you not to leave so late.) This is an indirect command that still uses the subjunctive.
Employ conditional phrases like sería mejor si no... (It would be better if you didn't...): Sería mejor si no gastaras tanto. (It would be better if you didn't spend so much.) This lessens directness.

Culturally, the perceived harshness of a direct command often depends heavily on context, tone of voice, and body language. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, direct commands among close relations are a common and accepted form of communication, not necessarily implying rudeness.

2. Negative Tú Command Conjugation

Infinitive	Yo Form	Negative Command
Hablar	Hablo	No hables
Comer	Como	No comas
Vivir	Vivo	No vivas
Hacer	Hago	No hagas
Tener	Tengo	No tengas
Salir	Salgo	No salgas
Poner	Pongo	No pongas
Traer	Traigo	No traigas

Meanings

The negative tú command is used to give informal, direct orders or advice to someone you address as 'tú'. It is the standard way to forbid an action in casual settings.

Direct Prohibition

Forbidding an action.

“No toques eso.”

“No abras la ventana.”

Friendly Advice

Suggesting someone avoid an action.

“No comas tanto dulce.”

“No llegues tarde.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands)
Form	Structure	Example
Negative Command	No + (Yo - o) + opposite ending	No hables
With Pronoun	No + pronoun + verb	No lo hagas
Reflexive	No + te + verb	No te levantes
Irregular	No + irregular yo-base	No seas
Stem-changing	No + stem-changed yo-base	No duermas

Formality Spectrum

Formal

No lo toque, por favor.

No lo toque, por favor. (Warning)

Neutral

No lo toque.

No lo toque. (Warning)

Informal

No lo toques.

No lo toques. (Warning)

Slang

¡Ni lo toques!

¡Ni lo toques! (Warning)

Negative Command Logic

Negative Tú Command

Step 1

Hablo I speak

Step 2

Habl- Remove 'o'

Step 3

No hables Add 'es'

Examples by Level

No hables.

Don't speak.

No comas eso.

Don't eat that.

No corras.

Don't run.

No bebas agua.

Don't drink water.

No llegues tarde.

Don't arrive late.

No abras la puerta.

Don't open the door.

No pongas la mesa.

Don't set the table.

No salgas ahora.

Don't go out now.

No te preocupes por el examen.

Don't worry about the exam.

No digas mentiras a tus padres.

Don't tell lies to your parents.

No hagas tanto ruido al caminar.

Don't make so much noise when walking.

No pierdas la esperanza.

Don't lose hope.

No busques problemas donde no los hay.

Don't look for trouble where there isn't any.

No te vayas sin despedirte.

Don't leave without saying goodbye.

No critiques a los demás si no conoces su historia.

Don't criticize others if you don't know their story.

No te olvides de traer los documentos.

Don't forget to bring the documents.

No te precipites al tomar una decisión tan importante.

Don't rush when making such an important decision.

No te dejes influenciar por comentarios negativos.

Don't let yourself be influenced by negative comments.

No te arriesgues innecesariamente en esta situación.

Don't take unnecessary risks in this situation.

No te desanimes ante los primeros obstáculos.

Don't get discouraged by the first obstacles.

No te permitas caer en la complacencia tras el éxito inicial.

Don't allow yourself to fall into complacency after initial success.

No te aferres a dogmas que limitan tu pensamiento crítico.

Don't cling to dogmas that limit your critical thinking.

No te conviertas en aquello que juraste combatir.

Don't become that which you swore to fight.

No te subestimes, pues posees las capacidades necesarias.

Don't underestimate yourself, as you possess the necessary capabilities.

Easily Confused

Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands) vs Affirmative vs Negative Commands

Learners often use the affirmative form with 'no'.

Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands) vs Infinitive as Command

Learners use the infinitive to give orders.

Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands) vs Usted vs Tú Commands

Learners mix up formal and informal forms.

Common Mistakes

✗

No hablas

✓

No hables

You must use the opposite vowel ending.

✗

No habla

✓

No hables

Don't use the affirmative command form.

✗

No comer

✓

No comas

Don't use the infinitive for commands.

✗

No te comes

✓

No te comas

Reflexive pronouns must be included.

✗

No salgas

✓

No salgas

Wait, this is correct! Just watch out for irregulars.

✗

No haces

✓

No hagas

The 'yo' form is 'hago', so it must be 'hagas'.

✗

No pones

✓

No pongas

The 'yo' form is 'pongo'.

✗

No te lo comes

✓

No te lo comas

Pronoun placement is tricky.

✗

No busces

✓

No busques

Spelling change for -car verbs.

✗

No llegas

✓

No llegues

Spelling change for -gar verbs.

✗

No te vayas

✓

No te vayas

Correct, but watch out for 'ir' verbs.

✗

No seas

✓

No seas

Correct, but check the 'ser' conjugation.

✗

No estés

✓

No estés

Correct, but check the 'estar' conjugation.

Sentence Patterns

No ___ el/la ___.

No te ___ tanto.

No ___ a ___.

No ___ que ___.

Real World Usage

Texting very common

No llegues tarde.

Social Media common

No compartas esto.

Travel occasional

No toques las obras.

Food Delivery common

No pongas cebolla.

Parenting constant

No corras.

Friendship constant

No te preocupes.

⚠️

The Pronoun Trap

Never attach pronouns to the end of a negative command. It's always 'No lo hagas', never 'No hágaslo'.

🎯

The Yo-Check

If a verb is irregular in the 'yo' form (like 'tengo' or 'salgo'), that irregularity ALWAYS carries over to the negative command ('no tengas', 'no salgas').

💬

Politeness Check

While 'No lo hagas' is fine for friends, adding 'por favor' or using 'no deberías' (you shouldn't) is softer for strangers.

Smart Tips

Always switch to -es.

No hablas → No hables

Always switch to -as.

No comes → No comas

Put it before the verb.

No comas lo → No lo comas

Use the irregular stem.

No haces → No hagas

Pronunciation

No HAbles (HA-bles)

Vowel stress

The stress remains on the same syllable as the 'yo' form.

Command intonation

No HAbles! ↓

Falling intonation indicates a firm command.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Yo-Drop-Flip: Take the 'Yo', drop the 'o', flip the vowel.

Visual Association

Imagine a 'Yo-Yo' toy. When you say 'No', the Yo-Yo drops the 'o' and flips upside down to show the opposite vowel.

Rhyme

To tell a friend what not to do, take the 'yo' and change the vowel too!

Story

Juan is a messy roommate. Every day, I tell him: 'No dejes la ropa en el suelo' (Don't leave clothes on the floor). 'No comas mi comida' (Don't eat my food). 'No pongas música alta' (Don't play loud music). He never listens, but I keep using the negative tú command!

Word Web

AR verbs use -es.

Select the correct negative command. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No comas

ER verbs use -as.

Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

No habla con él.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: habla

Should be 'hables'.

Change to negative command. Sentence Transformation

Habla. -> No ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hables

Flip the vowel.

Match the verb to its negative command. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No tengas

Irregular yo form.

Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Estoy triste. B: No ___ (estar) triste.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: estés

Irregular verb.

Order the words. Sentence Building

lo / hagas / no

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No lo hagas

Pronoun before verb.

Conjugate 'hacer'. Conjugation Drill

No ___ la tarea.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hagas

Yo form is hago.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises

Conjugate the verb in the negative tú command.

No ___ (hablar) con extraños.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hables

AR verbs use -es.

Select the correct negative command. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No comas

ER verbs use -as.

Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

No habla con él.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: habla

Should be 'hables'.

Change to negative command. Sentence Transformation

Habla. -> No ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hables

Flip the vowel.

Match the verb to its negative command. Match Pairs

Tener -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No tengas

Irregular yo form.

Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Estoy triste. B: No ___ (estar) triste.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: estés

Irregular verb.

Order the words. Sentence Building

lo / hagas / no

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No lo hagas

Pronoun before verb.

Conjugate 'hacer'. Conjugation Drill

No ___ la tarea.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hagas

Yo form is hago.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises

Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

No _____ (comprar) esa chaqueta, es muy cara.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: compres

Fix the pronoun placement Error Correction

No dímelo la verdad.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No me digas la verdad.

Translate to Spanish Translation

Don't go to the party.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No vayas a la fiesta.

Order the words to form a negative command Sentence Reorder

lo / no / ahora / digas

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No lo digas ahora.

Pick the right command for 'Don't be mean' Multiple Choice

Choose one:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No seas malo.

Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

No _____ (perder) tu celular.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pierdas

Match the verb to its negative command Match Pairs

Match them:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tener: No tengas

Fix the spelling change Error Correction

No toques el piano.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No toques el piano.

Don't arrive late Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No llegues tarde.

Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

No _____ (poner) los pies en la mesa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pongas

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

It's the base for the present subjunctive, which negative commands use.

No, use the 'usted' form for your boss.

They keep their stem change in the negative command.

Only if you are making a statement, not a command.

Put the pronoun before the verb: 'No te levantes'.

Only the irregular verbs like 'ser' or 'ir'.

The form is the same, but the 'tú' usage might vary.

AR -> ES, ER/IR -> AS. Think of it as the opposite of the indicative.

Scaffolded Practice

1

2

3

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

French partial

Ne + verbe + pas

French requires 'pas' while Spanish does not.

German low

Imperativ

German has a dedicated imperative mood.

Japanese low

Verb + nai de kudasai

Japanese is agglutinative; Spanish is inflectional.

Arabic moderate

La + jussive

Arabic jussive is a specific verb form.

Chinese low

Bie + verb

Chinese verbs do not conjugate.

Spanish high

No + verb

N/A

Learning Path

Prerequisites

The Irregular Eight: Quick Commands (haz, di, ven)

Spanish Informal Commands: Telling Friends What to Do (Tú Commands)

Learn These First

A2 Builds On

Negative Tú Commands: The 'Don't Do It' Switch

Overview Negative `tú` commands in Spanish instruct someone **not** to perform an action. Unlike English's direct "don't...

Related Grammar Rules

Polite Spanish Commands (Usted/Ustedes)

Overview Spanish formal commands, utilizing `usted` (singular, formal "you") and `ustedes` (plural, formal "you"), are f...

Spanish Irregular Commands: The 8 Short Forms (Tú)

Ever tried to tell your friend to "just do it" in Spanish and ended up sounding like a robot? You probably used the long...

The Irregular Eight: Quick Commands (haz, di, ven)

Overview Mastering Spanish commands is a cornerstone for effective communication, allowing you to give direct instructio...

Spanish Voseo Commands: 'cantá' and 'no cantés'

Overview At the C2 level, achieving linguistic mastery requires moving beyond standardized textbook forms to embrace th...

Spanish Group Suggestions: 'Let's...' (Sugerencias de grupo)

Overview Mastering group suggestions in Spanish allows you to initiate collective actions, fostering a sense of shared p...

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Don't Do It! (Negative Tú Commands)

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Overview

How This Grammar Works

Formation Pattern

When To Use It

Common Mistakes

Real Conversations

Quick FAQ

2. Negative Tú Command Conjugation

Meanings

Direct Prohibition

Friendly Advice

Reference Table

Formality Spectrum

Negative Command Logic

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Examples by Level

Easily Confused

Common Mistakes

Sentence Patterns

Real World Usage

The Pronoun Trap

The Yo-Check

Politeness Check

Smart Tips

Pronunciation

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Visual Association

Rhyme

Story

Word Web

Challenge

Cultural Notes

Did You Know?

Conversation Starters

Journal Prompts

Common Mistakes

Test Yourself

Practice Exercises

Practice Bank

FAQ (8)

Scaffolded Practice

1

2

3

4

Mastery Progress

In Other Languages

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Learn These First

Negative Tú Commands: The 'Don't Do It' Switch

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Related Grammar Rules

Polite Spanish Commands (Usted/Ustedes)

Spanish Irregular Commands: The 8 Short Forms (Tú)

The Irregular Eight: Quick Commands (haz, di, ven)

Spanish Voseo Commands: 'cantá' and 'no cantés'

Spanish Group Suggestions: 'Let's...' (Sugerencias de grupo)

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