Tu Afirmativo x Subjuntivo
Affirmative 'tu' (informal you) and 'vós' commands are unique because they are derived from the Indicative mood, while almost all other commands (negative 'tu', 'você', etc.) use the Subjunctive.
How It Works
The imperativo afirmativo tu is used for informal, direct address. Unlike most other command forms, it is derived from the Indicative mood.
1. The Shortcut:
A helpful way to remember the affirmative 'tu' command is that it is almost always identical to the 3rd person singular (ele/ela) of the Present Indicative.
2. Regular Formation:
Technically, it is formed by taking the tu form of the Present Indicative and dropping the final -s:
- -AR verbs: Tu cantas → Canta! (Sing!)
- -ER verbs: Tu comes → Come! (Eat!)
- -IR verbs: Tu abres → Abre! (Open!)
Note that forms like Vai (ir), Tem (ter), Vem (vir), and Põe (pôr) follow this rule perfectly (e.g., tu vais minus -s = vai).
3. Irregularities and Variants:
- Ser: Becomes Sê! (This is a true exception).
- Dizer, Fazer, Trazer: The standard modern forms are Diz!, Faz!, and Traz!. However, the longer forms Dize!, Faze!, and Traze! are grammatically valid variants often found in literature or formal contexts.
4. The Subjunctive Contrast:
While the affirmative 'tu' command uses the Indicative, the negative 'tu' command and the 'você' command both switch to the Subjunctive. This creates a vowel shift (e.g., Canta vs. Cante) that is a key feature to become proficient in.
Examples (5)
- Canta uma música para nós!
Sing a song for us!
Word by Word: Sing a song for us!
The 'tu' command 'Canta' (from 'tu cantas') contrasts with the 'você' command 'Cante' (subjunctive).
- Come a sopa toda!
Eat all the soup!
Word by Word: Eat the soup all!
The verb 'comer' (tu comes) drops the -s to become 'come', which is identical to the 'ele/ela' form.
- Diz a verdade ao teu pai.
Tell the truth to your father.
Word by Word: Tell the truth to-the your father.
'Diz' is the standard modern form of 'dizer', though 'dize' is still found in literature.
- Faz o que eu te digo, não faças o que eu faço.
Do what I tell you, don't do what I do.
Word by Word: Do the what I to-you tell, not do-subjunctive the what I do.
This shows the contrast: 'Faz' (affirmative indicative-based) vs 'não faças' (negative subjunctive-based).
- Sê corajoso e vai em frente.
Be brave and go forward.
Word by Word: Be brave and go in front.
'Sê' is a true irregular from 'ser', while 'vai' follows the rule (tu vais minus -s).
Common Mistakes
Using the subjunctive for the affirmative 'tu' command.
Fales comigo!Fala comigo!Learners often assume all commands use the subjunctive. However, the affirmative 'tu' command specifically uses the indicative form minus the -s.
Using the indicative for the negative 'tu' command.
Não fala agora!Não fales agora!While common in colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, standard grammar requires the subjunctive for negative commands.
Mixing 'tu' verbs with 'você' possessives.
Faz (tu) o seu (você) trabalho.Faz o teu trabalho.If you use the 'tu' command form, you should use the corresponding 'teu/tua' possessive to maintain consistency in address.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand why the affirmative 'tu' command is unique, you must first know how to conjugate the 'tu' form in the present indicative (from which it is derived) and how the present subjunctive is formed (which is used for all other imperative forms).
- -e/-es/-e/-emos/-eis/-emPresente Do Subjuntivo -AR
Understanding the present subjunctive is necessary to contrast it with the 'tu' affirmative command, which is the only command form that does not use subjunctive stems.
Level 3 - fala/come/parteImperativo Afirmativo (Tu)
This pattern is the specific application of the 'tu' affirmative command which must be understood before analyzing its unique relationship to the subjunctive.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- falas/comes/abresTu Verb Forms
The affirmative 'tu' command is derived directly from these present indicative forms by dropping the final -s.
Level 2 - não fales/não comas/não partasImperativo Negativo (Tu)
The negative 'tu' command, which contrasts with the affirmative by using the subjunctive mood.
Level 3 - fale/coma/partaImperativo Com Você
The 'você' command form which uses the subjunctive for both affirmative and negative, unlike the 'tu' affirmative.
Level 3 - tu / vocêTu vs. Você
Understanding the social context of when to use the informal 'tu' command versus the 'você' command.
Level 1 - teu/tua/teus/tuasPossessive Second Person Informal
The possessive adjectives that should be used alongside 'tu' commands for grammatical consistency.
Level 1 - sê/tem/vem/dizeImperativo Afirmativo Irregular (Tu)
Specific forms of the affirmative 'tu' command; 'sê' is irregular, while others like 'dize' are literary variants.
Level 3
Practice Tu Afirmativo x Subjuntivo in Bubblegum
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