The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Cambiar is used to give direct orders or instructions to change something, for example Cambia la bombilla. (Change the light bulb.)

Cambiar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in this tense follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Cambiar (to change) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish):

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

To change or exchange: For example, ¡Cambia la bombilla! (Change the light bulb!)

To transform or alter: For example, ¡Cambia tu actitud! (Change your attitude!)

To substitute or replace: For example, ¡Cambia las sábanas! (Change the sheets!)

To switch or swap: For example, ¡Cambiemos de asiento! (Let’s switch seats!)

To convert or trade: For example, ¡Cambia tus dólares por euros! (Exchange your dollars for euros!)

To redirect or reroute (colloquial): For example, ¡Cambia de tema, tío! (Change the subject, dude!)

To leave or abandon (slang): For example, ¡Cambia de aquí! (Get out of here!)

Examples

Examples of Cambiar in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Cambia de canal! Ese programa es aburrido. (Change the channel! That show is boring.)

Por favor, cambie la bombilla. Está fundida. (Please change the lightbulb. It’s burnt out.)

Mamá, cambiemos el color de la sala. Ya me cansé del amarillo. (Mom, let’s change the color of the living room. I’m tired of yellow.)

Oye, cambiad esas actitudes negativas. ¡Vamos a disfrutar el día! (Hey, change those negative attitudes. Let’s enjoy the day!)

Señores, cambien sus hábitos alimenticios para una vida más saludable. (Folks, change your eating habits for a healthier life.)

Antes de salir de viaje, cambia los neumáticos del carro. (Before going on a trip, change the tires on the car.)

¡Cambiemos de tema! Esa conversación se está poniendo incómoda. (Let’s change the subject! That conversation is getting uncomfortable.)

Oigan, cambien esas caras largas. ¡Vamos a celebrar! (Hey, change those long faces. Let’s celebrate!)

Jefe, cambie la estrategia de marketing. No está funcionando. (Boss, change the marketing strategy. It’s not working.)

Amigo, cambia tu actitud. Esa negatividad no te llevará a ningún lado. (Friend, change your attitude. That negativity won’t get you anywhere.)

¡Cambiad esos pañales, papás! El bebé necesita uno limpio. (Change those diapers, parents! The baby needs a clean one.)

Chicos, cambien sus hábitos de estudio para mejorar sus calificaciones. (Kids, change your study habits to improve your grades.)

Señora, cambie la decoración de su casa. Se ve muy anticuada. (Ma’am, change the decor of your house. It looks very outdated.)

¡Cambiemos de restaurante! Ese lugar no me gustó nada. (Let’s change restaurants! I didn’t like that place at all.)

Oye, cambia esa cara de pocos amigos. ¡Sonríe un poco! (Hey, change that grumpy face. Smile a little!)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Cambiar (to change) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American 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.