no hables/no comas/no escribas

Negative Tú Commands

Level 3

To tell a friend not to do something, use 'no' followed by the present subjunctive 'tú' form of the verb. For -ar verbs, the ending is -es. For -er and -ir verbs, the ending is -as.

How It Works

When you want to tell someone you address as 'tú' (a friend, family member, peer) not to do something, you use a negative tú command.

The formation follows a simple rule based on the present subjunctive tense:

Regular Formation Rule:
1. Start with the yo form of the verb in the present tense (e.g., hablo, como, vivo).
2. Drop the final -o.
3. Add the 'opposite' ending for the 'tú' form:

  • For -ar verbs, add -es.
  • For -er and -ir verbs, add -as.

4. Place no before the verb.

Examples:

  • Hablar (to speak) → yo hablo → habl- → ¡No hables! (Don't speak!)
  • Comer (to eat) → yo como → com- → ¡No comas! (Don't eat!)
  • Escribir (to write) → yo escribo → escrib- → ¡No escribas! (Don't write!)

Irregular Verbs:
Some common verbs have irregular negative command forms, which also come from their irregular subjunctive forms:

  • ser → no seas (don't be)
  • ir → no vayas (don't go)
  • dar → no des (don't give)
  • estar → no estés (don't be)
  • saber → no sepas (don't know)
  • hacer → no hagas (don't do/make)
  • decir → no digas (don't say/tell)
  • poner → no pongas (don't put)

Pronoun Placement:
Unlike affirmative commands, with negative commands, object pronouns always go before the verb and after 'no'.

  • No lo hagas. (Don't do it.)
  • No me digas mentiras. (Don't tell me lies.)

This is a key difference from affirmative commands, where pronouns are attached to the end.

Spelling And Stem Changes
Preserve the relevant sound and subjunctive stem: buscar → no busques, llegar → no llegues, empezar → no empieces, pedir → no pidas. The regular yo-minus-o shortcut is not a complete rule for every verb.

Command Form Versus Other Ways To Direct Someone
No comes is an indicative statement in its ordinary use; a statement can still function as an order in context. No corras is the ordinary negative tú command. General notices and instructions can use an infinitive, such as No correr. These are different constructions, not universally ungrammatical sentences.

Examples (6)

  1. No hables con la boca llena.

    Don't talk with your mouth full.

    Word by Word: Not you-talk with the mouth full.

  2. No comas tantos dulces antes de cenar.

    Don't eat so many sweets before dinner.

    Word by Word: Not you-eat so-many sweets before of to-dine.

  3. Si no entiendes, no escribas nada todavía.

    If you don't understand, don't write anything yet.

    Word by Word: If not you-understand, not you-write nothing yet.

  4. No vayas por esa calle, es peligrosa de noche.

    Don't go down that street, it's dangerous at night.

    Word by Word: Not / go [tú command] / along that street / it is dangerous at night.

    'Vayas' is the irregular negative command for the verb 'ir' (to go).

  5. No seas grosero con tu abuela.

    Don't be rude to your grandmother.

    Word by Word: Not / be [tú command] / rude / to your grandmother.

    'Seas' is the irregular negative command for the verb 'ser' (to be).

  6. Ese es mi secreto. ¡No se lo digas a nadie!

    That's my secret. Don't tell it to anyone!

    Word by Word: That is my secret. Not / to anyone / it / tell [tú command]!

    With negative commands, object pronouns like 'se' and 'lo' are placed before the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Attaching pronouns to the end of the verb.

    No dímelo.
    No me lo digas.

    Object pronouns must be placed before the verb in negative commands, whereas they are attached to the end of affirmative commands.

How It Connects

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no hables/no comas/no escribasLevel 3Negative Tú Commands

Learn This First

To form negative tú commands, you must first understand how to negate a verb using 'no'. Crucially, unlike affirmative commands, negative commands use the present subjunctive forms for all verb types (-AR, -ER, and -IR).

Words in This Pattern