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Simplified and native speakers:
Simplified example
José A.
Consuelo B.
José M.
Fernando R.
John N.
Click red links to download .m4v files for use in iPod:
Simplified example
José A.
Consuelo B.
José M.
Fernando R.
John N.
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Simplified Example "Cuando viajo al extranjero..." |
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José A. México, D.F. "Bueno, ahora vamos a pedir una comida típica..." |
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Consuelo B. Perú, Lima "Señor, por favor, ¿Cuál es el menú de hoy?..." |
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José M. Venezuela, Maracaibo "Buenas noches, sí señor. Por favor quisiera un vasito de vino tinto..." |
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Fernando R. Argentina, Buenos Aires "Antes de ir a un restorán lo primero que hago con mis amigos es elegir..." |
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John N. Ecuador, Guayaquil "Cuando voy a un restaurante lo primero que hago es..." |
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Command forms
Command forms in Spanish may be challenging because they differ depending on five possible intervening factors:
Each of these five factors can be mixed together to create a wide variety of possibilities. To form postive formal commands, start with the form of the verb that goes with the pronoun "yo" (e.g., abro, muevo, vengo, etc.). Then take the "-o" off of that verb ending. If the verb is an AR verb, replace the "-o" with "-e" If the verb is an ER or IR verb, replace the "-o" with "-a" If the command is given to more than one person, the endings are "-en" and "-an" respectively. If the verb is reflexive, put the reflexive pronoun "se" after the verb form. If there are object pronouns (it, them) put them after the verb too. The following examples help to clarify. Examples:
Note: There are some irregular forms as well because the "yo" form does not end in an "-o" as follows:
The negative formal commands are similar to the positive ones. The difference is that the word "no" goes before the verb and reflexive pronouns and object pronouns also go before the verbs.
Given the difficulty and the variety of direct command forms, one solution is to use indirect command forms. These are easier to form and do not involve as many choices. There are three phrases that are helpful in giving indirect commands: "hay que..." (one must), "favor de..." (please do the favor of...) and "usted tiene que...." (you have to...). Each of these phrases is followed by a verb in the infinitive. As such, it is not necessary to know the verb conjugation. Be aware, however, sometimes the regular command form sounds much better. Examples:
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