Students quickly grasp the imperative concept once asked to picture their parent or guardian ordering them around: “Study.” “Eat your vegetables.” “Take out the trash.” From there, the teacher can explain the difference between an affirmative, “Take out the trash”, and a negative command, “Don’t take out the trash.” In the following storyboard series, students will only employ affirmative tú commands to conjugate Spanish verbs. Thus, the following cannot be used for Ud. or Uds. or vosotros. Neither can they be used in order to say “Don’t…”.
Student Activities for Spanish Commands
Essential Information
Affirmative tú commands are fairly straightforward. There are a handful of irregulars that need to be memorized, but otherwise, the imperative form is identical to the 3rd person, singular of present tense. The following chart clearly demonstrates the formation of regular, affirmative tú commands.
Regular Commands
| Infinitive | Ud./Él/Ella | Affirmative tú commands |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | habla | habla |
| leer | lee | lee |
| escribir | escribe | escribe |
| jugar (boot verb) | juega | juega |
Here is what needs to be memorized because they are irregular command forms.
Irregular Commands
| Infinitive | Command |
|---|---|
| poner | pon |
| tener | ten |
| venir | ven |
| salir | sal |
| ser | sé |
| decir | di |
| ir | ve |
| hacer | haz |
How Tos about Spanish Commands
Try a fun classroom activity to reinforce Spanish commands
Engage students with an interactive activity that helps them master affirmative tú commands. Use movement, props, or visuals to make learning memorable and encourage participation. Active practice boosts retention and confidence!
Prepare command flashcards for quick reviews
Create sets of flashcards with Spanish verbs on one side and their affirmative tú command on the other. Use them for warm-ups, games, or partner drills to help students memorize regular and irregular forms easily.
Incorporate commands into daily routines
Give students simple instructions in Spanish throughout the day, such as ‘Escribe’, ‘Lee’, or ‘Haz’. Frequent exposure in context reinforces the imperative and builds real-world language skills.
Challenge students with a ‘Simon Says’ game in Spanish
Play ‘Simón dice’ using affirmative tú commands like ‘Salta’ or ‘Corre’. This lively game encourages listening, comprehension, and quick recall while making learning fun and interactive.
Encourage peer teaching with command mini-lessons
Assign students pairs or small groups to teach each other a set of affirmative tú commands. Peer instruction deepens understanding and gives students a chance to practice pronunciation and usage in a supportive setting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spanish Commands
What are affirmative tú commands in Spanish and how do you form them?
Affirmative tú commands are used to tell someone you know well to do something. They are formed by using the 3rd person singular (él/ella/Ud.) present tense form of the verb, with a few important irregulars that must be memorized.
How do you teach Spanish commands effectively to beginners?
Teaching Spanish commands to beginners works best by starting with real-life examples, like giving simple orders. Focus on regular verbs first, then introduce irregular forms and use visuals or stories to reinforce learning.
What are the most common irregular tú commands in Spanish?
Common irregular tú commands include: pon (poner), ten (tener), ven (venir), sal (salir), sé (ser), di (decir), ve (ir), haz (hacer). These must be memorized as they don’t follow regular patterns.
What's the difference between affirmative and negative tú commands in Spanish?
Affirmative tú commands tell someone to do something (e.g., "Eat"), while negative tú commands tell someone not to do something (e.g., "Don’t eat"). They use different conjugation patterns.
Can tú commands be used for Ud., Uds., or vosotros forms?
No, tú commands are only for familiar, singular "you." For Ud., Uds., or vosotros, different imperative forms are used.
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