sê/tem/vem/dize

Imperativo Afirmativo Irregular (Tu)

Level 3

Most tu commands match the third-person singular indicative. The verb ser is the only true exception (sê). Other high-frequency verbs like ter, vir, ir, dar, estar, dizer, fazer, and trazer follow the shortcut but are notable because their indicative forms are already irregular: tem, vem, vai, dá, está, diz, faz, and traz.

How It Works

In Portuguese, the affirmative imperative for tu usually matches the third-person singular of the present indicative. While most verbs follow this shortcut, a small group of irregulars requires special attention. Note that these irregular forms apply only to affirmative commands; negative commands always use the subjunctive.

  • Sê (from ser): The only true exception to the third-person shortcut. It is a unique form derived from Latin. Do not confuse it with the reflexive pronoun 'se'.
  • Standard Shortcut Irregulars: Verbs like tem (ter), vem (vir), vai (ir), dá (dar), está (estar), quer (querer), and sabe (saber) are irregular in the present indicative, but they strictly follow the standard rule of matching the 3rd person singular (ele tem, ele vai, etc.).
  • Diz, Faz, and Traz: These are the standard modern forms. You may also encounter the full forms dize, faze, and traze in formal or literary registers.
  • Põe (from pôr): Follows the third-person indicative shortcut (ele põe).

Regional Note: In Portugal, these specific tu forms are strictly maintained in informal speech. In Brazil, speakers often mix these with você commands or use the indicative directly.

Examples (6)

  1. Sê paciente, por favor.

    Be patient, please.

    Word by Word: Be patient, for favor.

    Uses 'sê' (the irregular imperative of 'ser') to give advice to someone addressed as 'tu'.

  2. Vem cá agora!

    Come here now!

    Word by Word: Come here now!

    'Vem' is the informal command for 'vir' (to come).

  3. Diz-me a verdade.

    Tell me the truth.

    Word by Word: Tell-me the truth.

    'Diz' is the modern shortened imperative of 'dizer'. Note the use of the hyphen for the object pronoun.

  4. Vai para casa descansar.

    Go home to rest.

    Word by Word: Go to house rest.

    'Vai' is the informal command for 'ir' (to go), matching the 3rd person singular indicative.

  5. Tem cuidado com o cão.

    Be careful with the dog.

    Word by Word: Have care with the dog.

    'Tem' (from 'ter') is used here to mean 'have' or 'be' in the context of caution.

  6. Dize-me, ó Musa, o que aconteceu.

    Tell me, oh Muse, what happened.

    Word by Word: Tell-me, oh Muse, the what happened.

    This uses the archaic/literary form 'dize' instead of the modern 'diz', typical of epic poetry or older literature.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative 'é' for a command.

    É bonzinho!
    Sê bonzinho!

    Learners often try to use the 3rd person indicative 'é' (he/she is) as a command, but 'ser' requires the irregular form 'sê' for 'tu' commands.

  • Confusing 'vem' (come) with 'vê' (see).

    Vem o que eu fiz!
    Vê o que eu fiz!

    'Vem' is from 'vir' (to come), while 'vê' is from 'ver' (to see). They are frequently swapped by mistake.

  • Using the subjunctive for affirmative commands.

    Sejas feliz!
    Sê feliz!

    In Portuguese, the subjunctive (sejas) is used for negative commands or wishes, but the imperative (sê) must be used for direct affirmative commands.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

sê/tem/vem/dizeLevel 3Imperativo Afirmativo Irregular (Tu)

Learn This First

To understand these irregular 'tu' commands, you first need to know how regular commands are formed for the 'tu' pronoun. Since these forms (sê, tem, vem, dize) deviate from the standard rule of dropping the final -s from the present tense, familiarity with the 'tu' present tense and the standard imperative rule is necessary.

Words in This Pattern

sêvem