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 mood follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Cambiar (to change) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American 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: This is the most common meaning. 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 trade: For example, ¡Cambiemos de lugar! (Let’s switch places!)

To convert or exchange (currency): For example, ¡Cambia estos dólares por pesos! (Exchange these dollars for pesos!)

Colloquial usage (rude): ¡Cámbiate de ropa, apestas! (Change your clothes, you stink!)

Examples

Examples of Cambiar in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Cambia de canal! No me gusta este programa. (Change the channel! I don’t like this show.)

Antes de irnos, cambiemos la llanta desinflada. (Before we leave, let’s change the flat tire.)

Señor, por favor cambie su actitud negativa. (Sir, please change your negative attitude.)

¡Cambien esas costumbres poco saludables! (Change those unhealthy habits!)

Mamá, ¿puedo cambiar mi look para la fiesta? (Mom, can I change my look for the party?)

En la oficina, cambiemos nuestra estrategia de ventas. (At the office, let’s change our sales strategy.)

Oye amigo, cambia esa cara larga. ¡Vamos a divertirnos! (Hey friend, change that long face. Let’s have fun!)

Si quieres progresar, cambia tu mentalidad negativa. (If you want to progress, change your negative mindset.)

Jefe, ¿puedo cambiar mi turno el próximo viernes? (Boss, can I change my shift next Friday?)

Para ahorrar energía, cambiemos a bombillas LED. (To save energy, let’s switch to LED bulbs.)

Antes de viajar, cambie sus dólares por la moneda local. (Before traveling, change your dollars for the local currency.)

¡Cambien esas expresiones aburridas por unas más animadas! (Change those boring expressions for more lively ones!)

Hijo, cambia tus hábitos alimenticios para una vida más sana. (Son, change your eating habits for a healthier life.)

En esta situación difícil, cambiemos nuestra perspectiva. (In this difficult situation, let’s change our perspective.)

Señorita, por favor cambie su tono de voz más respetuoso. (Miss, please change to a more respectful tone of voice.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Cambiar (to change) 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.