Whether you’re warning friends about pickpockets near the Sagrada Familia, telling your travel buddy not to drink the tap water in Cancún, or making sure your colleagues don’t miss that important meeting in Cartagena, mastering the negative imperative in Spanish is crucial. Let’s dive into the art of telling people what not to do – in the most polite and effective way possible!

What is the Negative Imperative?

The negative imperative (or imperativo negativo) is how you tell someone not to do something in Spanish. Unlike English, where we simply add “don’t” before a verb, Spanish has a special form that’s actually borrowed from the subjunctive mood. Don’t worry though – once you get the pattern, it’s surprisingly straightforward!

When to Use the Negative Imperative

1. Giving warnings:
   “No dejes tu mochila sin vigilar en Las Ramblas”
   (Don’t leave your backpack unattended on Las Ramblas)
2. Making prohibitions:
   “No tomes fotos dentro de la Catedral de Guadalupe”
   (Don’t take photos inside the Guadalupe Cathedral)
3. Offering advice:
   “No olvides llevar protector solar a Playa del Carmen”
   (Don’t forget to bring sunscreen to Playa del Carmen)
4. Setting boundaries:
   “No llegues tarde al tour del Parque Tayrona”
   (Don’t arrive late to the Tayrona Park tour)

Forming the Negative Imperative

Here’s the formula: Start with “no” and use the present subjunctive form:

-AR Verbs

Using hablar as an example:

• No hables (tú)
• No hable (usted)
• No hablemos (nosotros)
• No habléis (vosotros)
• No hablen (ustedes)

Real-Life Examples

1. At Tourist Sites

“No toques las pinturas en el Museo del Prado”
(Don’t touch the paintings in the Prado Museum)

2. In Restaurants

“No pidas agua del grifo en este restaurante de Chichen Itza”
(Don’t order tap water in this restaurant in Chichen Itza)

3. At Cultural Events

“No salgas durante la presentación del Carnaval de Barranquilla”
(Don’t leave during the Barranquilla Carnival performance)

4. In Business Settings

“No llegues tarde a la reunión en la Torre Colpatria”
(Don’t be late to the meeting at the Colpatria Tower)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don’t forget the “no”:
   ❌ “Hagas ruido”
   ✅ “No hagas ruido”
2. Don’t use the regular imperative form:
   ❌ “No come aquí”
   ✅ “No comas aquí”

Ready to Level Up Your Spanish?

Understanding how to give polite warnings and prohibitions is essential for navigating Spanish-speaking countries respectfully. Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Madrid, adventuring through the Riviera Maya, or conducting business in Bogotá, mastering the negative imperative will help you communicate clearly and effectively. ¡Adelante!