No hables tan rápido.
English: Don't speak so fast.
- Language
- Spanish
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Modo imperativo
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
The 'imperativo negativo' in Spanish is used to tell someone not to do something. It is the negative form of commands or instructions.
When to use it
Use the imperativo negativo when you want to give orders, advice, or instructions telling someone not to do something.
Key forms
- No + verb in subjunctive form (tú, usted, nosotros, vosotros, ustedes)
- Examples: No hables, No coma, No salgamos, No habléis, No coman
Examples
No comas eso.
English: Don't eat that.
No salgamos tarde.
English: Let's not leave late.
No escribáis en la mesa.
English: Don't write on the table.
No miren la pantalla.
English: Don't look at the screen.
Tips
- Always use 'no' before the verb.
- The verb form is based on the present subjunctive, not the regular imperative.
- Be careful: the negative tú form is different from the positive tú command.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Some verbs are irregular in the subjunctive, such as 'ir' (No vayas), 'ser' (No seas), and 'estar' (No estés).