The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Cocinar is used to give direct orders or instructions related to cooking, for example Cocina la cena esta noche. (Cook dinner tonight.)

Cocinar is a regular -ar verb, so its Imperative conjugations follow the typical pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

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

Cocinar generally means to cook or prepare food, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

Literal meaning: To cook or prepare food, for example, ¡Cocina la cena! (Cook the dinner!)

Figurative meaning: To scheme or plot something, for example, ¡Cocina algo para salir de este lío! (Cook up something to get out of this mess!)

Slang meaning: To do drugs, especially marijuana, for example, ¡Cocina ese porro! (Smoke that joint!)

Idiomatic meaning: To exaggerate or embellish a story, for example, ¡No me cocines tanto la historia! (Don’t cook up the story so much!)

Examples

Examples of Cocinar in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Cocina esta receta para la cena! (Cook this recipe for dinner!)

Mamá, ¿podemos cocinar juntas este fin de semana? (Mom, can we cook together this weekend?)

En el taller de cocina, el chef nos dijo: “Cocinen con pasión y disfruten el proceso”. (In the cooking class, the chef told us: “Cook with passion and enjoy the process”.)

Antes de salir de viaje, cocina y congela algunas comidas para que no tengamos que comer fuera. (Before going on the trip, cook and freeze some meals so we don’t have to eat out.)

Oye, ¿puedes cocinar el arroz mientras preparo la ensalada? (Hey, can you cook the rice while I prepare the salad?)

En la clase de cocina, el instructor nos dijo: “Cocinemos un plato tradicional hoy”. (In the cooking class, the instructor told us: “Let’s cook a traditional dish today”.)

Si quieres impresionar a tu pareja, cocina una cena romántica. (If you want to impress your partner, cook a romantic dinner.)

Para ahorrar dinero, cocinen en casa en lugar de pedir comida a domicilio. (To save money, cook at home instead of ordering takeout.)

Cuando estés estresado, cocina algo rico y relájate. (When you’re stressed, cook something tasty and relax.)

Para celebrar su aniversario, cocinen la cena favorita de ambos. (To celebrate your anniversary, cook both of your favorite dinners.)

En el restaurante, el chef nos recomendó: “Cocinen con ingredientes frescos para obtener el mejor sabor”. (At the restaurant, the chef recommended: “Cook with fresh ingredients to get the best flavor”.)

Cuando tengas tiempo libre, cocina un lote de comidas para congelar y tener listas más tarde. (When you have free time, cook a batch of meals to freeze and have ready later.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Cocinar (to cook) 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.