The Imperative Mood: 'Nosotros' Commands

The Imperative Mood: 'Nosotros' Commands

When you want to make a suggestion to a group that includes you, you use the 'nosotros' command. In English, this is our "Let's..." construction.
➡️ Let's eat!
➡️ Let's study!
➡️ Let's go!

In Spanish, there are two main ways to express this idea. Both are extremely common and essential for fluent conversation.

✅ 1. Using the Present Subjunctive

This is the standard grammatical structure for a 'nosotros' command. The rule is quite straightforward: the command form is identical to the 'nosotros' form of the present subjunctive.

Here’s the formation process:

1. Start with the 'yo' form of the verb in the present indicative (e.g., 'hablo', 'como').
2. Drop the final '-o' (e.g., 'habl-', 'com-').
3. Add the corresponding 'nosotros' subjunctive ending:

• For -AR verbs, add '-emos'.
• For -ER and -IR verbs, add '-amos'.

Let's see it in action:
👉 Hablar (to talk) ➡️ hablemos (Let's talk)
👉 Correr (to run) ➡️ corramos (Let's run)
👉 Escribir (to write) ➡️ escribamos (Let's write)

🧠 A quick note on stem-changing verbs:
-AR and -ER verbs do NOT stem-change in the 'nosotros' form.
➡️ Pensar (e>ie) ➡️ Pensemos en el plan. (Let's think about the plan.) - not piensemos
➡️ Volver (o>ue) ➡️ Volvamos a casa. (Let's return home.) - not volvamos

-IR verbs, however, DO have a simplified stem change (e>i, o>u).
➡️ Dormir (o>ue) ➡️ Durmamos un poco. (Let's sleep a little.)
➡️ Pedir (e>i) ➡️ Pidamos la cuenta. (Let's ask for the bill.)

Of course, there are irregulars, which are the same as in the present subjunctive:
➡️ Ser ➡️ seamos (e.g., Seamos amables - Let's be kind.)
➡️ Ir ➡️ vayamos (e.g., Vayamos a la playa. - Let's go to the beach.)
➡️ Dar ➡️ demos (e.g., Demos un paseo. - Let's take a walk.)
➡️ Estar ➡️ estemos (e.g., Estemos listos. - Let's be ready.)

✅ 2. Using 'Vamos a + Infinitive'

This is a very common, slightly more conversational alternative. It works just like the English "Let's go do something."
➡️ Vamos a comer. (Let's eat.)
➡️ Vamos a estudiar. (Let's study.)

For most verbs, 'Comamos' and 'Vamos a comer' are interchangeable. The main exception is the verb 'ir' (to go). It is much more common to just say 'Vamos' for "Let's go!" While 'Vayamos' is grammatically correct, 'Vamos' is used far more frequently in everyday speech.

📌 Attaching Pronouns to Affirmative Commands

When using object pronouns (lo, la, me, te, etc.), you must attach them directly to the end of the affirmative command verb.

➡️ Comprar el coche ➡️ Comprémoslo. (Let's buy it.)
➡️ Decir la verdad a ella ➡️ Digámosela. (Let's tell her it.)

Notice the written accent mark! You add it to preserve the original stress of the verb.

❗️ Special Rule for the Pronoun 'nos':
When you attach the reflexive pronoun 'nos' (ourselves), you must drop the final '-s' from the verb ending '-mos'. This avoids the awkward 'mosnos' sound.

➡️ Levantarse (to get up) ➡️ levantemos + nos ➡️ ¡Levantémonos! (Let's get up.)
➡️ Irse (to leave) ➡️ vayamos + nos ➡️ Drop the 's', add 'nos' ➡️ ¡Vámonos! (Let's go / Let's leave!) This is a very common and useful expression!

❌ Negative 'Nosotros' Commands

Forming negative commands is simple. Just put 'no' before the subjunctive form. With negative commands, any object pronouns are placed between 'no' and the verb.

➡️ No hablemos de eso. (Let's not talk about that.)
➡️ No lo compremos. (Let's not buy it.)
➡️ No nos levantemos todavía. (Let's not get up yet.)