falem/comam/partam

Imperativo Com Vocês

Level 3

The Imperativo com Vocês is the standard way to address a group of people when giving orders, advice, or directions. It is formed using the 3rd person plural of the Present Subjunctive.

How It Works

The plural command for vocês (you all) is universal across all variants of Portuguese. Unlike the informal tu form, the vocês command is identical in both affirmative and negative sentences.

1. Formation and Logic
The morphology follows the Present Subjunctive exactly. Although vocês is used for "you all," it functions grammatically as the 3rd person plural. This is because vocês replaced the archaic vós (which used forms like falai/comei) in most contexts, shifting the conjugation to the 3rd person (eles/elas). These same forms are used for the formal plural address os senhores / as senhoras.

2. Pronoun Placement
There is a notable difference in clitic placement between variants. In Brazil, proclisis (pronoun before the verb) is the standard for informal speech: Se sentem! (Sit down!). However, in formal writing, enclisis is still required: Sentem-se!. In Portugal, pronouns follow the verb in affirmative commands (Sentem-se!) but precede it in negative commands (Não se sentem!).

3. Tone and Politeness
While it is a 'command' form, it is not inherently rude. In Brazil, it is the standard way to speak to friends or colleagues in a group. To soften the tone, speakers often add 'por favor' (please) or use the conditional for more formal requests.

4. Negative Commands
Simply place 'não' before the verb. The verb form does not change: Falem! (Speak!) vs. Não falem! (Don't speak!).

Examples (5)

  1. Por favor, falem mais baixo.

    Please, speak more quietly.

    Word by Word: For favor, speak (you all) more low.

    A common request using the -AR verb 'falar' with the -em ending.

  2. Não comam o bolo agora!

    Don't eat the cake now!

    Word by Word: Not eat (you all) the cake now!

    A negative command using the -ER verb 'comer' with the -am ending.

  3. Leiam o primeiro capítulo para amanhã.

    Read the first chapter for tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Read (you all) the first chapter for tomorrow.

    A standard instruction often heard in classrooms using 'ler'.

  4. Abram os livros na página dez.

    Open the books to page ten.

    Word by Word: Open (you all) the books in the page ten.

    An -IR verb 'abrir' changing its vowel to -a for the plural command.

  5. Não saiam sem os casacos.

    Don't leave without your coats.

    Word by Word: Not leave (you all) without the coats.

    The verb 'sair' is irregular but follows the subjunctive stem 'saia-'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the infinitive (dictionary form) for direct commands.

    Vocês, falar um de cada vez!
    Vocês, falem um de cada vez!

    English speakers often use the infinitive 'falar', but Portuguese requires the conjugated imperative 'falem' when addressing a specific group.

  • Confusing the indicative 'they' form with the imperative 'you all' form.

    Comem a sopa!
    Comam a sopa!

    'Comem' means 'they eat' (indicative). For a command, you must use the opposite vowel 'a' resulting in 'comam'.

  • Dropping the -m when addressing a group.

    Meninos, fale comigo.
    Meninos, falem comigo.

    If you are addressing more than one person (Meninos), the verb must be plural (falem), not singular (fale).

How It Connects

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

falem/comam/partamLevel 3Imperativo Com Vocês

Learn This First

To form commands for 'vocês', you must be familiar with the plural subject pronoun 'vocês' and the corresponding third-person plural forms of the present subjunctive for -AR, -ER, and -IR verbs, as these forms are identical.