Órdenes y peticiones

Making commands and requests in Spanish

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2022-12-19

In Spanish as well as in English there are different ways to make a command or request, depending on the context and formality or informality. The imperative and present subjunctive are commonly used for this purpose but other verbal structures are also used in specific contexts.

How to give commands by context

Direct order 

Indirect order 

Expressing wishes

Insisting on a command

Instructions to general public

In step by step instructions

To encourage people to do something

Commands by sentence structure

Imperative form

Infinitive form

Que form

Subjunctive

Lessons with more detail on Órdenes y peticiones

Using preposition a + infinitive to express a command in Spanish
Forming the Spanish imperative of vosotros for all verbs (affirmative commands)
Forming the imperative of tú for most verbs (affirmative commands)
Forming the imperative for usted/ustedes/nosotros/nosotras (affirmative and negative commands)
Forming the imperative of tú for all irregular verbs (irregular affirmative commands)
Forming the Spanish imperative of tú/ vosotros/vosotras (negative commands)
Using que + the present subjunctive in Spanish to to express a wish/command
Using the infinitive to express a request/command/give instructions in Spanish
Using the Spanish gerund as a command
Forming the Spanish imperative of tú (negative commands)
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