The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Cubrir is used to give direct orders or instructions, for example Cubre la mesa con un mantel. (Cover the table with a tablecloth.)

Cubrir is a regular -ir verb, so its Imperative conjugations follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

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

Cubrir generally means to cover or protect something, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

To cover or protect: For example, ¡Cubre la olla para que no se enfríe la comida! (Cover the pot so the food doesn’t get cold!)

To conceal or hide: For example, ¡Cubre tus huellas antes de que llegue la policía! (Hide your tracks before the police arrive!)

To take someone’s place: For example, ¡Cúbreme mientras voy al baño! (Cover for me while I go to the bathroom!)

To pay or cover costs: For example, ¡Cubre la cuenta, yo invito esta vez! (Cover the bill, I’m paying this time!)

To satisfy or meet a need: For example, ¡Cubre tus necesidades básicas antes de gastar en lujos! (Meet your basic needs before spending on luxuries!)

Colloquially, to have sex: For example, ¡Cúbrela bien esta noche! (Satisfy her well tonight!)

Examples

Examples of Cubrir in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Cubre tu boca cuando tosas! (Cover your mouth when you cough!)

Por favor, cubra sus hombros antes de entrar al templo. (Please cover your shoulders before entering the temple.)

Mamá, cubramos el pastel para que no se seque. (Mom, let’s cover the cake so it doesn’t dry out.)

Oye, cubran sus cabezas, ¡va a llover! (Hey, cover your heads, it’s going to rain!)

Antes de salir, cubre bien al bebé con una mantita. (Before going out, cover the baby well with a blanket.)

Para proteger la pintura fresca, cubra el piso con periódicos viejos. (To protect the fresh paint, cover the floor with old newspapers.)

¡Cubramos las ventanas con cartón para que no entre el frío! (Let’s cover the windows with cardboard so the cold doesn’t come in!)

En la playa, cubran su piel con bloqueador solar. (At the beach, cover your skin with sunscreen.)

Antes de cocinar, cubre tu ropa con un delantal. (Before cooking, cover your clothes with an apron.)

Para evitar manchas, cubra los muebles con sábanas viejas mientras pinta. (To avoid stains, cover the furniture with old sheets while painting.)

¡Cubramos nuestras cabezas con gorras para el sol! (Let’s cover our heads with caps for the sun!)

Oye, cubran sus oídos, ¡va a sonar una alarma muy fuerte! (Hey, cover your ears, a very loud alarm is going to sound!)

Antes de irme, cubre la comida para que no se enfríe. (Before I leave, cover the food so it doesn’t get cold.)

Para mantener la comida fresca, cubra el recipiente con papel film. (To keep the food fresh, cover the container with plastic wrap.)

¡Cubramos el piso con una lona antes de pintar las paredes! (Let’s cover the floor with a tarp before painting the walls!)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Cubrir (to cover) 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.