The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Mostrar is used to give direct orders or instructions, for example: Muéstrame tu trabajo. (Show me your work.)

This verb follows the o to ue stem-changing pattern in the imperative mood, where the o in the stem changes to ue in certain conjugations.

Conjugations

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

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

To show or display: This is the most common meaning, for example, ¡Muéstrame tu nueva camiseta! (Show me your new shirt!)

To demonstrate: It can also mean to demonstrate or prove something, for example, ¡Muéstrame cómo se hace! (Show me how it’s done!)

To reveal or expose: In a more figurative sense, it can mean to reveal or expose something, for example, ¡Muéstrame tu verdadero yo! (Show me your true self!)

To point out: It can also mean to point something out, for example, ¡Muéstrame dónde está el problema! (Show me where the problem is!)

Colloquial usage: In some Latin American slang, it can be used in a rude or vulgar way to mean “to show off” or “to flaunt”, for example, ¡Muéstrame lo que tienes! (Show me what you’ve got!) This usage should be avoided in formal contexts.

Examples

Examples of Mostrar in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Muestra tu pasaporte, por favor! (Show your passport, please!)

Señor, muestre sus pertenencias a la oficial de aduanas. (Sir, show your belongings to the customs officer.)

Antes de entrar al museo, muestren sus boletos a la entrada. (Before entering the museum, show your tickets at the entrance.)

Para registrarnos en el hotel, mostremos nuestras identificaciones. (To check in at the hotel, let’s show our IDs.)

¡Muestra un poco más de respeto cuando hables con tus mayores! (Show a bit more respect when you talk to your elders!)

Mamá, muestre las fotos de la boda a la tía Lupe. (Mom, show the wedding photos to Aunt Lupe.)

Hijos, muestren sus tareas a su padre cuando llegue a casa. (Kids, show your homework to your dad when he gets home.)

En la reunión, mostremos los nuevos diseños al equipo de ventas. (At the meeting, let’s show the new designs to the sales team.)

Señora, muestre su credencial de prensa a los oficiales. (Ma’am, show your press credentials to the officers.)

¡Muestra un poco de iniciativa y ofrece ayudar con la cena! (Show some initiative and offer to help with dinner!)

Antes de la entrevista, muestren sus currículums actualizados. (Before the interview, show your updated resumes.)

Para renovar la licencia, muestre su documento de identidad vigente. (To renew your license, show your current ID document.)

¡Muestra un poco más de entusiasmo por el nuevo proyecto! (Show a bit more enthusiasm for the new project!)

En la feria del libro, muestren sus obras a los editores potenciales. (At the book fair, show your works to potential publishers.)

Cuando lleguen los invitados, muestre la nueva decoración de la sala. (When the guests arrive, show off the new living room decor.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Mostrar (to show) 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.