De viaje y de Compras
In this chapter you will continue building your foundation in Spanish by communicating about travel and shopping which are important to the culture. In order to be able to talk about traveling and shopping, it important to be able to express ‘to whom’ we do something for which is why you will use indirect object pronouns to substitute indirect object nouns with ‘me’, ‘te’, ‘les’ which will make you sound more fluent since you don’t have to keep repeating the noun in every thought.
In order to be able to talk with more fluency and be able to understand the spoken language better, you will be learning about double object pronouns which will help you replace direct and indirect object nouns with pronouns in your communication—especially when talking about giving gifts, sending postcards and buying souvenirs. Two words that are essential when talking about destinations, reasons for travel and exchanges in markets are ‘por’ and ‘para’. Both these words mean ‘for’ but are used to describe different circumstances.
To describe events that happened during your trip, you’ll learn how to conjugate regular and irregular ‘-ar’, ‘-er’, and ‘-ir’ verbs, including the verbs ‘ser’ and ‘estar’, in the preterite tense. Also to help you describe what things were like, what you used to do, or what the weather was like during your stay, you will learn how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the imperfect tense. Finally, you’ll get a first look at the subjunctive mood, which will allow you to express hopes, wishes, and suggestions, perfect for planning trips or recommending your favorite places to travel. So pack your (grammatical) bags and get ready to dive into shopping and vacationing in Panamá. You’re not just learning the language, you’re experiencing the culture. ¡Buen viaje, familia!
Vocabulario
It would be nice if there was a visual for this vocabulary. Maybe an airport or a conglomeration of these things in one place where some of the vocabulary was labeled.
Viajar-to travel
- El avión — airplane
- El tren — train
- El autobús — bus
- El coche/El carro — car
- El taxi — taxi
- El barco — boat
- El asiento — seat
- La salida — departure/exit
- La llegada — arrival
Lugares relacionados con viajar — Places related to travel
- La estación — station
- El aeropuerto — airport
- La parada — stop
- La ciudad — city
- El pueblo — town
- Los lugares — the places
- El museo — museum
- La Aduana — customs
- El semáforo — streetlight
Documentos y objetos de viaje — Travel documents and objects
- El pasaporte — passport
- El boleto/El billete — ticket
- De ida y vuelta — round trip
- Tarjeta de embarque — boarding pass
- El equipaje — luggage
- La maleta — suitcase
- La llave — key
- El mapa — map
Acciones relacionadas con viajar — Actions related to travel
- Viajar — to travel
- Volar — to fly
- Llegar — to arrive
- Salir — to leave
- Abordar — to board
- Aterrizar — to land
- Despegar — to take off
- Pasar por seguridad — go through security
- Girar — to turn
- Doblar — to turn
- Cruzar — to cross (the street)
- Hacer la maleta — to pack a suitcase
- Reservar — to reserve
- Quedarse — to stay
- Preguntar — to ask
- Buscar — to search/ to look for
- Mostrar — to show
- Describir — to describe
- Decidir — to decide
- Abrochar — to fasten
- Asistir — to attend
- Subir — to go up / to upload
Personas relacionadas con viajar — People related to travel
- El/La auxiliar de vuelo — flight attendant
- La recepción — front desk
- El huésped — guest
En el hotel — At the hotel
- La habitación — room
- La reserva — reservation
- El ascensor — elevator
- El piso — floor (level)
- Consejo — advice
Ir de compras — To go shopping
- La tienda — store
- El mercado — market
- El centro comercial — mall
- El supermercado — supermarket
- La farmacia — pharmacy
- La panadería — bakery
- La zapatería — shoe store
- La joyería — jewelry store
- La carnicería — butcher shop
- La librería — bookstore
Objetos y productos — Items and products
- El dinero — money
- El precio — price
- El efectivo — cash
- La tarjeta de crédito — credit card
- La bolsa — bag
- El regalo — gift
- La ropa — clothing
- Los zapatos — shoes
- El recuerdo — souvenir
Acciones — Shopping actions
- Comprar — to buy
- Vender — to sell
- Pagar — to pay
- Costar — to cost
- Gastar — to spend
- Regatear — to bargain
- Mirar — to look
- Probarse — to try on
- Elegir — to choose
- Unir — to unite / to join / to connect
- Devolver — to return
- Caber — to fit
- Aconsejar — to advise
Frases útiles — Useful phrases
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- ¿Acepta tarjeta de crédito? — Do you accept credit cards?
- ¿Tiene esto en otro color/tamaño? — Do you have this in another color/size?
- ¿Dónde está la caja? — Where is the checkout/register?
- ¿Puedo ayudarle? — Can I help you?
- Estoy buscando… — I’m looking for…
- Solo estoy mirando — I’m just looking
Más Vocabulario
For this part of the vocabulary, it would be nice to have an image of a store floor with images of the items below. The ítems that do not fit in the image should be listed like the vocabulary above
- La ropa — clothes
- La falda — skirt
- El vestido — dress
- Los pantalones — pants
- Los pantalones cortos — shorts
- La camisa — collared shirt
- La camiseta — T-shirt
- Las sandalias — sandals
- Los tacones — high heels
- Tenis — tennis shoes
- Las botas — boots
- La corbata — tie
Actividades
Actividad 5.1-2 — Memory. Please match the English word or image to the Spanish word
Actividad 5.1-2 — Memory. Please match the English word or image to the Spanish word
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Los zapatos | Shoes |
| La llave | Key |
| El recuerdo | Souvenir |
| La maleta | Suitcase |
| Gastar | To spend |
| La tienda | Store |
| La estación | Station |
| La farmacia | Pharmacy |
| Quedarse | To stay |
| Regatear | To bargain |
| La Aduana | Customs |
| El mapa | Map |
| Mirar | To look |
Actividad 5.1-3 — Fill in the Blanks (Vocab)
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns are used to indicate ‘to whom’ or ‘for whom’ and action is being done and they replace the indirect object noun to avoid repetition. Doing so, helps make communication more natural and efficient. Using indirect object pronouns allows speakers to not repeat nouns by replacing nouns with ‘her’, ‘him’, ‘them’ etc. More importantly, in order to make a sentence grammatically correct in Spanish, the indirect object pronoun must be used whether or not the indirect object noun is also used in the sentence. This is why learning how indirect object pronouns work in the language will also allow speakers to interpret spoken and written Spanish more accurately since they are used frequently in the language.
| Pronoun | Example in Spanish | Plural Form | Example in Spanish (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me — to me, for me | A mí / para mí | Nos — to us, for us | A nosotros / para nosotros |
| Te — to you, for you (informal) | A ti / para ti | Os — to you all (Spain) | A vosotros / para vosotros |
| Le — to you (formal), to him, to her | A usted / a él / a ella | Les — to you all, to them | A ustedes / a ellos / a ellas |
Let’s learn how to use indirect object pronouns in a sentence:
The main point of using indirect object pronouns is to not have to repeat the noun over and over again in speech or writing. As stated above, in Spanish, the sentence is grammatically incorrect if you do not have the indirect object pronoun whether you mention the indirect object nouns or not.
The first step is to be able to find the indirect object in a sentence. The most effective way to do this is to ask the verb: ‘to whom?’ or ‘for whom?’.
In the sentence,
Saúl gives a gift to his daughters
The verb is ‘gives’. Ask the verb ‘to whom?’ or ‘for whom?’. In this case it is ‘to his daughters’. In English, the indirect object pronoun is ‘them’. If the indirect object pronoun is used the sentence would read:
Saúl gives a gift to them.
In Spanish, the placement of the indirect object pronoun is very different than in English. In Spanish, the indirect object pronouns are mostly used before the conjugated verb. In the sentence:
Saúl ____ da un regalo a sus hijas.
The indirect object pronoun for ‘a sus hijas’ or ‘ellas’ is ‘les’. As noted earlier, the indirect object pronoun must be included in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct whether you include the indirect object pronoun or not. In order to complete the sentence above, the indirect object pronoun ‘les’ must be included.
Saúl les da un regalo a sus hijas.
However, once the context is established, ‘a sus hijas’ can be omitted.
Saúl les da un regalo.
Another example:
The seller sells her a hat.
In this sentence the verb is ‘sells’. Ask the verb: ‘for whom?’ or ‘to whom?’ to find the indirect object. In this case, the indirect object is ‘her’. The indirect object pronoun for ‘her’, in Spanish, is ‘le’. Place ‘le’ before the conjugated verb.
El vendedor le vende un sombrero a ella.
Once the context is established, you can omit the ‘a ella’.
El vendedor le vende un sombrero.
Another example:
We show our friends our photos from our trip to Panamá. We also give them a souvenir.
In the first sentence, the verb is ‘show’. The indirect object noun is ‘our friends’. In English we would substitute ‘our friends’ for them. ‘We show them our photos from our trip to Panamá’. The indirect object pronoun for ‘them’ in Spanish is ‘les’. Place ‘les’ before the conjugated verb.
Nosotros les mostramos nuestras fotos a nuestros amigos de nuestro viaje a Panamá.
This is a grammatically correct sentence since the indirect object pronoun has to be a part of the sentence in order for it to be correct.
In the second sentence, ‘We also give them a souvenir’, the context has been established and to use the indirect object noun ‘to our friends’ ‘a nuestros amigos’ or ‘a ellos’ would be redundant.
También les damos un recuerdo.
Please note that indirect object pronouns go before the conjugated verb. However, in the case of the infinitive form or the present progressive form of the verbs, the indirect object pronoun can be added as an ending to the verb.
| Infinitive Example | Saul les puede dar un regalo a sus hijas
Saúl puede darles un regalo a sus hijas.
Saúl puede darles un regalo. |
| Present Progressive Example | Saul les está dando un regalo a sus hijas.
Saul está dándoles un regalo a sus hijas.
Saul está dándoles un regalo.
Note that when you add the indirect object pronoun to the present progressive form, you must add an accent. |
Actividades
Actividad 5.1-4 — Fill in the Blanks (Indirect Object Pronouns)
Actividad 5.1-5 — Fill in the Blank (Short Paragraph)
Actividad 5.1-6 — Please translate
Double Object Pronouns
Using double object pronouns is when the Direct Object and the Indirect Object Pronouns are used together in the same sentence.
Lets review the indirect and direct object pronouns
| Indirect Object Pronouns | Direct Object Pronouns | ||
| Me-to me, for me | Nos-to us, for us | Me-When the direct object is ‘me’ | Nos-when the direct object is ‘we’ |
| Te-to you , for you (informal) | Os-to y’all, for y’all | Te-When the direct object is ‘you’ | Os-when the direct object is ‘y’all (informal)’ |
| Le- to you, for you (formal) | Les-to y’all, for y’all | Lo/La-when the direct object is ‘you formal (usted)’ | Los/Las-when the direct object is ‘y’all (formal) |
| Le- to him, for him
Change to ‘se’ if needed |
Les-to them, for them (masculine or mixed group)
Change to ‘se’ if needed |
Lo-when the direct object is ‘him’
|
Los-when the direct object pronoun is ‘them (masculine or mixed group)’ |
| Le-to her, for her
Change to ‘se’ if needed |
Les-to them, for them (feminine)
Change to ‘se’ if needed |
La- when the direct object is ‘her’ | Las-when the direct object is ‘them (feminine group)’ |
It is important to note that the indirect object pronoun comes before the direct object pronoun in a sentence.
Lets look at a couple of examples:
She buys a ticket for me. Ella me compra un billete para mí.
First, lets find the indirect object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘to whom?’ or ‘for whom?’. In this sentence the indirect object is ‘for me’. The indirect object pronoun for ‘for me’ in Spanish is ‘me’. If you replace just the indirect object noun with the indirect object pronoun the sentence is:
Ella me compra un boleto.
Second, let’s find the direct object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘what?’ or ‘Who?’. In this sentence the direct object is ‘a ticket’. The direct object pronoun for ‘a ticket’ in Spanish is ‘lo’. If you replace just the direct object noun with a direct object pronoun the sentence is:
Ella me lo compra para mi.
If you use double object pronouns in the sentence and you replace both the indirect and direct object nouns, the sentence is:
Ella me lo compra.
Let’s look at another example:
I buy you sandals. Yo te compro sandalias para ti.
First, let’s find the indirect object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘to whom?’ or ‘for whom?’. In this sentence the indirect object is ‘for you’. The indirect object pronoun for ‘for you’ in Spanish is ‘te’. If you replace just the indirect object noun with the indirect object pronoun the sentence is:
Yo te compro las sandalias.
Second, let’s find the direct object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘what?’ or ‘Who?’. In this sentence the direct object is ‘the sandals’. The direct object pronoun for ‘the sandals’ in Spanish is ‘las’. If you replace just the direct object noun with a direct object pronoun the sentence is:
Yo te las compro para ti.
If you use double object pronouns in the sentence and you replace both the indirect and direct object nouns, the sentence is:
Yo te las compro.
It is important to note that ‘le’ or ‘les’ changes to ‘se’ when in front of ‘lo’, ‘la’, ‘los’ or ‘las’.
| Le/les +lo = se lo | Le/les + la = se la | Le/les + los = se los | Le/les + las= se las |
Let’s look at a few examples:
Saúl gives a gift to his daughters.
First, let’s find the indirect object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘to whom?’ or ‘for whom?’. In this sentence the indirect object is ‘to his daughters’ (a sus hijas). The indirect object pronoun for ‘for them’ in Spanish is ‘les’. If you replace just the indirect object noun with the indirect object pronoun the sentence is:
Saúl les da un regalo.
Second, let’s find the direct object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘what?’ or ‘Who?’. In this sentence the direct object is ‘a gift’ (un regalo). The direct object pronoun for ‘un regalo’ in Spanish is ‘lo’. If you replace just the direct object noun with a direct object pronoun the sentence is:
Saul les se lo da a sus hijas.
If you use double object pronouns in the sentence and you replace both the indirect and direct object nouns, the sentence is:
Saúl se lo da.
Let’s see another example:
The seller sells her a hat.
First, let’s find the indirect object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘to whom?’ or ‘for whom?’. In this sentence the indirect object is ‘her’. The indirect object pronoun for ‘for her’ in Spanish is ‘le’. If you replace just the indirect object noun with the indirect object pronoun the sentence is:
El vendedor le vende un sobrero.
Second, let’s find the direct object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘what?’ or ‘Who?’. In this sentence the direct object is ‘a hat’. The direct object pronoun for ‘a hat’ in Spanish is ‘lo’. If you replace just the direct object noun with a direct object pronoun the sentence is:
El vendedor se lo vende a ella.
If you use double object pronouns in the sentence and you replace both the indirect and direct object nouns, the sentence is:
El vendedor se lo vende.
Another example:
We show our friends our photos from our trip to Panamá.
First, let’s find the indirect object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘to whom?’ or ‘for whom?’. In this sentence the indirect object is ‘our friends’. The indirect object pronoun for ‘our friends’ in Spanish is ‘les’. If you replace just the indirect object noun with the indirect object pronoun the sentence is:
Nosotros les mostramos nuestras fotos a nuestros amigos de nuestro viaje a Panamá.
Second, let’s find the direct object in the sentence. Ask the verb ‘what?’ or ‘Who?’. In this sentence the direct object is ‘our photos’. The direct object pronoun for ‘our photos’ in Spanish is ‘las’. If you replace just the direct object noun with a direct object pronoun the sentence is:
Nosotros se las mostramos a nuestros amigos.
If you use double object pronouns in the sentence and you replace both the indirect and direct object nouns, the sentence is:
Nosotros se las mostramos.
Please note that double object pronouns go before the conjugated verb. However, in the case of the infinitive form or the present progressive form of the verbs, the double object pronouns can be added as an ending to the verb.
| Infinitive Example | Saul les puede dar un regalo a sus hijas
Saul se lo puede dar.
Saul puede darselo. |
| Present Progressive Example | Saul les está dando un regalo a sus hijas.
Saul se lo está dándo.
Saul esta dándoselo.
Note that when you add the indirect object pronoun to the present progressive form, you must add an accent. |
Actividades
Actividad 5.1-7 — Multiple Choice (DOP + IOP)
- Yo le doy el mapa a mi hermano. Yo se _____ doy. *lo*
- lo
- las
- los
- Nosotros les mostramos las fotos a los turistas. Nosotros ______ las mostramos. *se*
- les
- se
- me
- Tú compras el sombrero para tu papá. Tú se ______ compras. *lo*
- los
- las
- la
- lo
- Ellos nos venden las camisetas a nosotros. Ellos nos _______ venden. *las*
- los
- las
- la
- lo
- La guía ___ explica la historia a ti. La guía ______ la explica. *te*
- me
- te
- nos
- se
- Mi mamá nos da fruta. Mi mamá nos ______ da. *la*
- los
- las
- la
- lo
- El camarero ____ trae el jugo a mí. El camarero ____ lo trae. *me*
- me
- te
- nos
- les
- La recepcionista ____ da la llave a ustedes. La recepcionista _______ la da. *se*
- se
- me
- te
- le
- Yo ____ estoy leyendo el folleto a mis amigos. Yo estoy leyéndo_____ . *se lo*
- los
- las
- la
- lo
- Yo ____ quiero dar unos recuerdos a mis amigos. Yo quiero dár___los. *se*
- me
- se
- les
- te
Actividad 5.1-8 — Fill in the Blank (Double Object Pronouns)
Actividad
Activity 3- Please write three sentences in Spanish using double object pronouns. At least one of the sentences should use the double object pronouns with a verb in the infinitive or the present progressive. After you have your three sentences, please read them out loud for the class.
Por y Para
In Spanish, the words ‘por’ and ‘para’ are both often translated as ‘for’ in English but they have very different meanings and uses. Learning to tell the difference between ‘por’ and ‘para’ is important because using the wrong one can change the meaning of a sentence or make it confusing. For example, saying ‘Gracias por el regalo’ means ‘Thanks for the gift’ while ‘El regalo is para ti’ means ‘the gift is for you’. Understanding when to use ‘por’- for things like reasons, movement, and exchanges-and when to use ‘para’-for goals, recipients, and destinations-help students communicate more clearly and accurately. Understanding this distinction builds a strong foundation for more advanced communication in Spanish. Below is a chart
| When to use ‘Por’ | ||||
| Cause/Reason/Motive– To explain why something happens. In English we use phrases like: ‘because of’, ‘due to’, ‘on account of’, ‘for the sake of’.
Example: Cancelaron el vuelo por la lluvia. ‘They cancelled the flight because of rain’
|
Through/Along/By-to explain movement within or around a space. In English we use phrases like: ‘through’, ‘along’, ‘by’, ‘around’.
Example: Caminamos por la playa. ‘We walk along the beach’ |
Duration of Time– To explain how long something lasts. In English we use ‘for’.
Example: Estuvimos en Panamá por una semana. |
Exchange/ Payment-To explain an exchange. In English we use phrases like: ‘in exchange for’, ‘for’.
Example: Te pago dinero por tu ayuda. ‘I pay you money in exchange for your help. |
Means of Communication or Tranportation– to explain how communication or travel takes place.
In English we use ‘by’. Example: Mandamos la confirmacion por correo electrónico. ‘We sent the confirmation by email’. |
| When to use ‘Para | |||||
| Purpose/Goal/Use-To tell why something is done or what it’s used for. In English we often use phrases like: ‘in order to’, ‘to’, ‘for the purpose of’ and ‘used for’.
Example: Este mapa es para encontrar el hotel. ‘This map is for the purpose of finding the hotel.’ |
Recipient/ Intended Person– To say who will receive something or who something is meant for. In English we use phrases like: ‘for you,’ ‘for my friend’ and ‘for the teacher’.
Example: La comida es para los huéspedes en el segundo piso. ‘The food is for the guests on the second floor.’ |
Destination/Direction– to express where someone or something is going to-the destination or final goal of a movement. In English we use phrases like: ‘headed to’, ‘leaving for’, and ‘on the way to’.
Example: Salimos para Panamá mañana. ‘We leave for Panamá tomorrow.’ |
Deadlines/ Specific Times– To explain when something is due or when something will happen by a specific time or date.
In English we often use phrases like: ‘by (a certain time)’ and ‘for (a specific date/time)’. Example: Necesito los boletos para el viernes. ‘I need the tickets by Friday.’ |
Comparison-to compare someone or something to what is normal or expected.
In English we use ‘for being’ ‘for a’. Example: Habla español muy bien para ser turista. ‘She speaks Spanish very well for being a tourist.’ |
Opinion-to express what you or someone else things. In English we use ‘for me’, ‘for them’.
Example: Para ellos, viajar es importante. ‘For them, traveling is important.’
|
Actividades
Actividad 5.1-9 — Por o Para (Fill in the blanks)
Actividad 5.1-10 — Por o Para (Paragraph)
Actividad 5.1-11 — Escritura guiada (Por y Para)
With a partner write a five-sentence description of a typical day either traveling or shopping using por and para in your sentences. Then present your description to the class.
Command Forms
In Spanish, commands are used to tell someone what to do or what not to do. These are called ‘mandatos’. Learning commands is important for giving directions, instructions and advice in everyday situations, such as traveling, shopping and daily routines.
To begin learning ‘mandatos’, the affirmative ‘tú’ commands are presented below.
When telling someone what to do, the affirmative command (mandato affirmativo) is used. In Spanish, the affirmative ‘tú’ commands are formed by using the ‘él/ella/usted’ form of the verb in the present tense.
| Verb | Affirmative tú |
|---|---|
| Hablar | Habla |
| Comer | Come |
| Escribir | Escribe |
In order to tell someone to buy a ticket. You would take the verb ‘comprar’ and then conjugate in the third-person ending. ‘Compra el billete’.
It is important to note that when using the affirmative ‘tú’ command form with reflexive verbs, the ‘te’ is added to the end of the verb.
| Ponerse | Ponte |
| Relajarse | Relájate |
| Sentarse | Siéntate |
| Levantarse | Levántate |
Actividades
Actividad 5.1-12 — Fill in the blank (Affirmative tú)
There are common irregular affirmative ‘tu’ commands. These verbs do not follow the regular rule and should be memorized.
| Verb | Command |
|---|---|
| Decir | Di |
| Hacer | Haz |
| Ir | Ve |
| Poner | Pon |
| Salir | Sal |
| Ser | Sé |
| Tener | Ten |
| Venir | Ven |
Actividad 5.1-13 — Fill in the blanks (Irregular tú)
When telling someone what not to do, the negative ‘tú’ command is used. In Spanish, the negative ‘tú’ commands are formed very different than the affirmative ‘tú’ command form. In order to form the negative ‘tu’ command form, follow the steps below:
1. Start with the ‘yo’ form of the verb in the present tense.
Examples:
| Verb | Yo form |
|---|---|
| Hablar | Hablo |
| Comer | Como |
| Escribir | Escribo |
2. Remove the ‘o’ ending.
Examples:
| Verb | Stem |
|---|---|
| Hablo | Habl- |
| Como | Com- |
| Escribo | Escrib- |
3. Add opposite verb endings.
- For ‘-ar’ verbs, add ‘-er/-ir’ verb endings in the ‘tú’ form: ‘-es’
- For ‘-er’ and ‘-ir’ verbs, add ‘-ar’ verb endings in the ‘tú form: ‘as’
Examples:
| Verb | Negative tú |
|---|---|
| Habl- | No hables |
| Com- | No comas |
| Escrib- | No escribas |
4. Put ‘No’ before the verb to make it negative.
Examples:
| Verb | Command form | Meaning |
| Hablar | No hables | Don’t speak |
| Comer | No comas | Don’t eat |
| Escribir | No escribas | Don’t write |
It is important to note that when using the negative ‘tú’ command form with reflexive verbs, the ‘te’ comes before the verb.
| Ponerse | No te pongas |
| Relajarse | No te relajes |
| Sentarse | No te sientes |
| Levantarse | No te levantes |
Actividad 5.1-14 — Fill in the Blank (Negative tú)
There are common irregular negative ‘tu’ commands. These verbs don’t follow the regular rules and should be memorized.
| Verb | Command |
|---|---|
| Ir | No vayas |
| Ser | No seas |
| Dar | No des |
| Estar | No estés |
| Saber | No sepas |
Actividad 5.1-15 — Fill in the Blanks (Irregular negative tú)
- _________(ir) solo al mercado sin tu grupo. (*No vayas*)
- _________(ser) impaciente con los vendedores. (*No seas*)
- __________(dar) tu pasaporte a desconocidos. (*No des*)
- ____________(estar) distraído en el aeropuerto. (*No estés*)
- ___________(saber) menos de lo necesario sobre el cambio de moneda. (*No sepas*)
Actividad 5.1-16 — Mixed (Affirmative/Negative tú)
Vas a viajar a Panamá, así que 1.______________ (escuchar) (*escucha*) estos consejos. Primero, 2.__________ (hacer) (*haz*) la maleta con tiempo para que no te olvides algo importante. Y no 3.___________ (olvidar) (*olvides*) tu pasaporte. Al llegar al aeropuerto, 4._________ (ser) (*sé*) puntual. Por favor, no 5.____________ (perder) (*pierdas*) tu tarjeta de embarque.
Al llegar a la ciudad, 6.______________(visitar) (*visita*) el Canal de Panamá y 7.____________(sacar) (*saca*) muchas fotos. Pero, no 8.____________ (tomar) (*tomes*) fotos en zonas restringidas. Si vas de compras, 9._____________ (buscar) (*busca*) artesanías locales y 10._____________(preguntar) (*pregunta*) por los precios antes de comprar. No 11.__________(pagar) (*pagues*) sin ver bien el producto y 12.___________(tener) (*ten*) cuidado con imitaciones. Al final del día, 13.___________(relajarse) (*relájate*) en tu hotel. ___________(poner) (*pon*) el despertador y no _____________ (olvidarse) (*te olvides*) de disfrutar de tus vacaciones.
Command forms are also used when talking formally. If you do not know the person that you are talking to or you want to show respect when using the commands, the ‘usted’ or ‘ustedes’ form is used. In order to use the ‘usted/ustedes’ form, it is helpful to refer to the commands in the negative ‘tu’ form since the verb endings for ‘-ar’ verbs change to ‘-er/-ir’ endings and ‘-er/-ir’ endings change to ‘-ar’ verb endings in both the affirmative and negative command forms.
- Start with the ‘yo’ form of the verb in the present tense.
Examples:
| Verb | ‘Yo form’ |
| Hablar | Hablo |
| Comer | Como |
| Escribir | Escribo |
2. Remove the ‘o’ ending.
Examples:
| Verb | Ending removed |
| Hablo | Habl |
| Como | Com |
| Escribo | Escrib |
3. Add opposite verb endings.
- For ‘-ar’ verbs, add ‘-er/-ir’ verb endings in the ‘tú’ form: ‘-es’
- For ‘-er’ and ‘-ir’ verbs, add ‘-ar’ verb endings in the ‘tú form: ‘as’
Examples:
| Verb | Usted-
Affirmative and Negative commands |
Ustedes- Affirmative and Negative commands | ||
| Habl | Hable con el recepcionista. | No hable con el recepcionista. | Hablen con el recepcionista | No hablen con el recepcionista. |
| Com | Coma en el restaurante. | No coma en el restaurante. | Coman en el restaurante. | No coman en el restaurante. |
| Escrib | Escriba sobre su viaje. | No escriba sobre su viaje. | Escriban sobre su viaje. | No escriban sobre su viaje. |
It is important to note that if a verb is irregular in the present ‘yo’ form, it will also be irregular in the ‘usted/ustedes’ commands. It is important to review verbs with irregular ‘yo’ forms in order to form the ‘usted/ustedes’ commands.
| Infinitive | ‘yo’ form | Usted command | Ustedes command |
| Tener | Tengo | Tenga | Tengan |
| Venir | Vengo | Venga | Vengan |
| Hacer | Hago | Haga | Hagan |
| Decir | Digo | Diga | Digan |
| Poner | Pongo | Ponga | Pongan |
| Salir | Salgo | Salga | Salgan |
| Conocer | Conozco | Conozca | Conozcan |
| Ver | Veo | Vea | Vean |
Stem-changing verbs from the ‘yo’ form usually carry over.
| Infinitive | ‘yo’ form | Usted command | Ustedes command |
| Cerrar | Cierro | Cierre | cierren |
| Dormir | Duermo | Duerma | Duerman |
However, some verbs have spelling changes in order to preserve the pronunciation in the infinitive form.
| Infinitive | ‘Yo’ form | Usted command | Ustedes command |
| Buscar | Busco | Busque | Busquen |
| Pagar | Pago | Pague | Paguen |
| Empezar | Empiezo | Empiece | Empiecen |
Actividad 5.1-17 — Usted/Ustedes commands
Señor, ___________ (ir) a la terminal B, por favor. (*vaya*)
Turistas, ____________ (mostrar) sus pasaportes en la entrada. (*muestren*)
Señor, _____________(salir) a tiempo al aeropuerto. (*salga*)
Señora, no ____________ (llegar) tarde al aeropuerto. (*llegue*)
Ustedes _______________(caminar) con cuidado por la ciudad. (*caminen*)
Señorito, ____________(quitarse) los zapatos antes de pasar por seguridad. (*quítese*)
Clientes, _____________(comprar) las camisetas en esa tienda. (*compren*)
Pasajeros, _____________(abrocharse) sus cinturones de seguridad. (*abróchense*)
Señorita, ____________(ponerse) la chaqueta porque hace frío. (*póngase*)
Señor, no __________________(olvidar) su tarjeta de embarque. (*olvide*)
Pasajeros, ________________ (poner) sus maletas debajo del asiento. (*pongan*)
Señorita, _______________ (comprar) una botella de agua después de seguridad. (*compre*)
Señor, _____________ (tener) cuidado al cruzar la calle. (*tenga*)
Señores, no ________________ (pasar) por esa calle; es peligrosa. (*pasen*)
Señoras, ___________________(irse) del museo por la salida principal. (*váyanse*)
Command forms are also used to express a command or suggestion that includes ourselves and others like: ‘Let’s go’ or ‘Let’s eat’. When this is the case, the ‘nosotros’ form is used. In order to form the negative and positive command for the ‘nosotros’ form, it is helpful to refer to the ‘usted/ustedes’ commands since the verb endings for ‘-ar’ verbs change to ‘-er/-ir’ endings and ‘-er/-ir’ endings change to ‘-ar’ verb endings in both the affirmative and negative command forms.
1. Start with the ‘yo’ form of the verb in the present tense.
Examples:
| Verb | ‘Yo form’ |
| Hablar | Hablo |
| Comer | Como |
| Escribir | Escribo |
2. Remove the ‘o’ ending.
Examples:
| Verb | Ending removed |
| Hablo | Habl |
| Como | Com |
| Escribo | Escrib |
3. Add opposite verb endings.
- For ‘-ar’ verbs, add ‘-er/-ir’ verb endings in the ‘tú’ form: ‘-es’
- For ‘-er’ and ‘-ir’ verbs, add ‘-ar’ verb endings in the ‘tú form: ‘as’
Examples:
| Verbs | Nosotros-Affirmative Command | Nosotros-Negative Command |
| Hablar | Hablemos | No hablemos |
| Comer | Comamos | No comamos |
| Escribir | Escribamos | No escribamos |
It is important to note that when a reflexive verb such as ‘Levantarse’ is used, the nos is attached to the end of the verb ‘levantemos’. However, before attaching the reflexive pronoun ‘nos’ the last ‘s’ in the command form is dropped: ‘Levantemonos’.
Also, when giving a negative command using a reflexive verb, the reflexive pronoun ‘nos’ must be placed in front of the verb: ‘No nos levantemos’.
Actividad 5.1-18 — Nosotros commands
_____________ (pagar) en efectivo en la tienda de recuerdos. (*paguemos*)
_____________(hablar) con el guía turístico en el centro histórico. (*Hablemos*)
_____________(tomar) fotos de las ruinas antiguas. (*Tomemos*)
_____________(sentarse) en esta mesa. (*Sentémonos*)
_____________(comer) la comida panameña porque es deliciosa. (*Comamos*)
There are some common irregular verbs in the ‘Nosotros’ command forms.
| Irregular Verb | Nosotros Command |
| Ir | Vamos (affirmative) |
| Ir | No vayamos (negative) |
| Saber | Sepamos |
| Ser | Seamos |
| Estar | Estemos |
| Dar | Demos |
Actividad 5.1-19 — Nosotros commands (Irregulars)
________________ (ir) a la playa antes de comprar. (*Vamos*)
_______________(ser) pacientes mientras esperamos el autobús. (*Seamos*)
________________(estar) en la estación del metro para las siete y media. (*Estemos*)
______________(dar) propina al camarero después de comer. (*Demos*)
_______________(saber) esta información importante. (*Sepamos*)
Actividad 5.1-20 — Mixed commands
___________ a la derecha después del semáforo. (girar, usted) (*gire*)
No _____________ por esa calle; es muy estrecha. (ir, tú) (*vayas*)
___________ al Canal de Panamá con nosotros mañana. (venir, ustedes) (*vengan*)
___________ a la izquierda para llegar al mercado. (doblar, tú) (*dobla*)
_____________ en grupo para no perdernos. (caminar, nosotros) (*caminemos*)
No ____________ nada en la tienda de artesanías sin preguntar precios. (tocar, tú) (*toques*)
____________ la calle con cuidado. (cruzar, ustedes) (*crucen*)
____________ la dirección en tu teléfono antes de salir. (buscar, tú) (*busca*)
___________ en esta esquina hasta que llegue el bus. (esperar, usted) (*espere*)
No _____________ las cámaras en el museo. (usar, ustedes) (*usen*)
_____________ los pasaportes antes de abordar. (tener, nosotros) (*tengamos*)
___________ derecho por esta calle hasta la plaza central. (seguir, usted) (*siga*)
No __________ la salida del aeropuerto; está a la derecha. (olvidar, tú) (*olvides*)
___________ algo típico para tus amigos. (comprar, tú) (*compra*)
___________ con tiempo si queremos evitar el tráfico. (salir, nosotros) (*salgamos*)
Actividad 5.1-21 — Direcciones
Decide on a destination in your hometown. Write down directions using command forms. Then, with a partner, give verbal directions to reach the destination.