The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Construir is used to give direct orders or instructions to build or construct something, for example: Construye una casa nueva. (Build a new house.)

Construir is a spelling-changing verb that follows the -uir to -uye pattern in the imperative mood. The stem constru- changes to constru-y- before adding the appropriate endings.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Construir (to build) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish):

Construir generally means to build or construct, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

To build or construct: This is the most common meaning, referring to the act of creating or putting together a structure. For example, ¡Construye esa casa! (Build that house!)

To develop or create: It can also mean to develop or create something abstract, like a plan or idea. For example, ¡Construye un buen plan de negocios! (Develop a good business plan!)

To form or shape: In some contexts, it can mean to form or shape something, like a character or personality. For example, ¡Construye tu propio camino! (Shape your own path!)

To compose or put together: It can also refer to composing or putting together something, like a piece of writing or a work of art. For example, ¡Construye un poema hermoso! (Compose a beautiful poem!)

Colloquial usage: In some Latin American slang, it can be used in a rude or vulgar way to mean “to have sex.” For example, ¡Construyámosla! (Let’s do it!) However, this usage is considered offensive and should be avoided in most contexts.

Examples

Examples of Construir in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Construye un castillo de arena en la playa! (Build a sandcastle on the beach!)

Para la clase de arte, construyamos una escultura con materiales reciclados. (For the art class, let’s build a sculpture with recycled materials.)

Equipo, construyan un prototipo funcional para la próxima reunión. (Team, build a working prototype for the next meeting.)

Antes de irnos de vacaciones, construya una lista de tareas pendientes. (Before we go on vacation, make a to-do list.)

Los niños, construyan un fuerte con almohadas y sábanas en la sala. (Kids, build a fort with pillows and sheets in the living room.)

Para el proyecto escolar, construyamos una maqueta de un edificio histórico. (For the school project, let’s build a model of a historic building.)

Arquitecto, construya un diseño innovador y sostenible para el nuevo centro comercial. (Architect, design an innovative and sustainable plan for the new shopping mall.)

¡Construye un camino de ladrillos amarillos en el jardín! (Build a yellow brick road in the garden!)

Para el día de los niños, construyamos una casa de muñecas gigante. (For Children’s Day, let’s build a giant dollhouse.)

Equipo de ingeniería, construyan un puente resistente sobre el río. (Engineering team, build a sturdy bridge over the river.)

Antes de mudarnos, construya unos estantes nuevos para la sala. (Before we move, build some new shelves for the living room.)

¡Construyamos un pequeño refugio en el bosque para acampar! (Let’s build a small shelter in the woods for camping!)

Para el festival de arte, construyan una escultura gigante con materiales reciclados. (For the art festival, build a giant sculpture with recycled materials.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Construir (to build) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperative mood is also known as the Command Form, Affirmative Command Mood, or Direct Command Form in English, and as Modo Imperativo, Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, or Forma de Mandato in Spanish.