não fales/não comas/não partas

Imperativo Negativo (Tu)

Level 3

The Imperativo Negativo (Tu) is used for informal prohibitions or advice. It is formed by não + Present Subjunctive (tu).

How It Works

To form the negative imperative for tu, follow these steps:

1. Start with the negation word não.
2. Use the 2nd person singular (tu) form of the Present Subjunctive.

Conjugation Rules:

  • -AR verbs: The ending changes to -es (e.g., falar → não fales).
  • -ER/-IR verbs: The ending changes to -as (e.g., comer → não comas; partir → não partas).

Irregular Verbs:
Verbs that are irregular in the subjunctive remain irregular here. Common examples include:

  • Ser: não sejas
  • Ir: não vás
  • Fazer: não faças
  • Dizer: não digas

Pronoun Placement:
When using object pronouns with negative commands, the pronoun must come before the verb (proclisis). For example: Não te esqueças (Don't forget).

Regional Note: In European Portuguese, this form is strictly required for informal speech. In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, speakers often use the affirmative form with 'não' (e.g., não fala) or use the você form instead.

Examples (5)

  1. Não fales tão alto, o bebé está a dormir.

    Don't speak so loud, the baby is sleeping.

    Word by Word: Not speak so loud, the baby is to sleep.

    Uses the subjunctive form 'fales' for a negative command.

  2. Não comas o bolo todo antes do jantar!

    Don't eat the whole cake before dinner!

    Word by Word: Not eat the cake all before of the dinner!

    The verb 'comer' (-er) takes the -as ending in the negative imperative.

  3. Não vás por esse caminho, é perigoso.

    Don't go that way, it's dangerous.

    Word by Word: Not go by that path, is dangerous.

    Uses the irregular subjunctive form of 'ir' (vás).

  4. Não te esqueças de trazer as chaves.

    Don't forget to bring the keys.

    Word by Word: Not yourself forget of to bring the keys.

    Demonstrates mandatory proclisis (pronoun before verb) with negation.

  5. Não faças barulho enquanto eu trabalho.

    Don't make noise while I work.

    Word by Word: Not make noise while I work.

    Uses the irregular subjunctive form of 'fazer' (faças).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the affirmative imperative form for a negative command.

    Não fala!
    Não fales!

    In standard grammar, the affirmative 'tu' command (fala) cannot be used with 'não'. You must switch to the subjunctive (fales).

  • Placing the pronoun after the verb in a negative command.

    Não esqueças-te.
    Não te esqueças.

    Negation words like 'não' attract the pronoun to the position before the verb.

  • Using the indicative 'tu' form instead of the subjunctive.

    Não comes a sopa.
    Não comas a sopa.

    'Não comes' means 'You don't eat' (a statement). 'Não comas' means 'Don't eat' (a command).

How It Connects

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

não fales/não comas/não partasLevel 3Imperativo Negativo (Tu)

Learn This First

To form the negative imperative for 'tu', learners must be familiar with the present subjunctive, as the negative command uses the subjunctive forms rather than the indicative-based forms used in the affirmative imperative. Knowledge of the 'tu' person is also required to apply the correct endings.

Words in This Pattern