Formal imperative with vostè and vostès

Level 3

Commands addressed to vostè or vostès use present-subjunctive forms.

How It Works

Passi and parli address one person as vostè; passin and parlin address several as vostès. Although the meaning is a direct request, the verb uses the grammatical third-person form associated with those pronouns.

Keep the whole exchange in the chosen register: disculpi, segui aquí. A respectful singular vós instead uses second-person plural commands, such as seieu, so do not equate every formal address with the same verb ending.

Affirmative commands place pronouns after the verb: expliqui-m'ho. Negative commands put them before: no m'ho expliqui. The formal verb form can look the same in both polarities, but pronoun position still changes. Si us plau can soften the request without changing the agreement pattern.

Examples (3)

  1. Passi, si us plau.

    Come in, please. (Vostè.)

  2. Seguin aquí, si us plau.

    Sit here, please. (Vostès.)

  3. Parli més a poc a poc.

    Speak more slowly. (Vostè.)

How It Connects

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Formal imperative with vostè and vostèsLevel 3

Learn This First

Distinguish vostè/vostès from vós and vosaltres. Recognize affirmative command structure.

Words in This Pattern

vostès