Habla más despacio.
English: Speak more slowly.
- Language
- Spanish
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Formas y uso de los verbos
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
The 'imperativo afirmativo regular (segunda persona singular)' in Spanish is the form you use to give direct, positive commands or instructions to one person (informal 'you').
When to use it
Use this form when you want to tell someone directly to do something, like giving instructions, advice, or orders to a friend, family member, or someone you address informally.
Key forms
- For -ar verbs: use the third person singular form, e.g., 'habla'.
- For -er verbs: use the third person singular form, e.g., 'come'.
- For -ir verbs: use the third person singular form, e.g., 'vive'.
Examples
Come la fruta.
English: Eat the fruit.
Vive aquí.
English: Live here.
Escucha la música.
English: Listen to the music.
Abre la puerta.
English: Open the door.
Tips
- Remember, this form is only for speaking to one person you know well (informal).
- Use the same ending as the third person singular (él/ella) in the present tense.
- Do not use pronouns (tú) with the imperative; just the verb.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Some verbs are irregular in the imperative, like 'decir' (di), 'hacer' (haz), 'ir' (ve), 'poner' (pon), 'salir' (sal), 'ser' (sé), 'tener' (ten), 'venir' (ven).