"Que" Commands and Infinitive Commands

RELEVANT LESSON:

1. Commands: Que and Infinitive Commands

Explanation

Quick Answer

There are many different types of Spanish commands, including tú commands, formal commands, nosotros commands, and indirect commands. In this article, we'll take a look at indirect commands, including quecommands and infinitive commands. ¡Que empiece la explicación!(Let the explanation begin!)

Indirect Commands

Indirect commands are often used for giving commands through a third party or to an unspecified recipient. You'll see them used in signs, instructions, and recipes. There are two kinds of indirect commands: que commands and infinitive commands.

Que Commands

Que Command Formula

que + present subjunctive

If you've forgotten how to conjugate the present subjunctive, check out this article.

Here are some examples of que commands. Notice how they follow the above formula.

examples
Que pase. Let him in.
Que me llamen. Have them call me.
Que tenga un buen día. Have a good day.
Que no vea mi madre. Don't let my mother see.
Que venga el cliente. Have the client come in.
Que Anita se ponga la camisa negra. Have Anita wear the black shirt.
Que lo haga. Have him do it.

Infinitive Commands

To form an affirmative infinitive command, simply use the infinitive. Don't conjugate anything!
To form a negative infinitive command, simply use the word no and the infinitive. Once again, don't conjugate anything!

examples
No pisar el césped. No walking on the grass.
Mezclar los ingredients en un tazón. Mix the ingredients in a bowl.
No fumar. No smoking.
Ver las notas abajo. See the notes below.
Batir los huevos. Beat the eggs.