Inside: Ideas for teaching commands in Spanish class. Spanish class command activities and songs. How to use irregular command verbs in Spanish.
Author: Allison Wienhold
Published: January 15, 2025

Teaching Command is Overwhelming
When I taught high school Spanish learners with a traditional Spanish Textbook my first couple year of teaching, I taught all of the traditional units. Many of these units revolved around Spanish verbs.
You know the drill each unit has a big list of vocab and then some grammar topics. You are expected to teach every kind of pronoun. Learn the subject pronoun, reflexive pronoun, indirect object pronoun, double object pronoun, etc.
Then you get to the chapter on commands. Whoah. Now you have informal tú commands, informal affirmative commands, negative informal commands, Spanish irregular commands, irregular affirmative tú commands, informal Spanish commands, negative formal commands, Ustedes command, nosotros commands, etc.
It’s a lot for baby Spanish speakers in Spanish class today.
It is still a lot for a native speaker who grew up with family members speaking Spanish, maybe from Latin America. Imagine you are in 6th grade taking your first official classes in middle school World Languages. Even if grew up with a background in Spanish it does not mean you know all of the grammar words that come up in a command unit.
You might be able to follow direct commands in Spanish. But, most students have never heard the following words before Spanish class: infinitive form of the verb, reflexive verbs, stem change, present subjunctive forms, irregular forms of the imperative mood, or informal negative command.
Make Teaching Spanish Commands Manageable
To be perfectly honest, I did not know what all of these words meant until I had to teach those Spanish class units on command form. So, my biggest tip to you. If you have some freedom in your Spanish curriculum, you do not have to do explicit lesson plans on every different form of a verb in Spanish.
Especially, if you teach only lower levels. Teach the common verbs that will help students communicate. Yes, por favor, make sure students know first person, second person, third person.
But, there are important exceptions if you are expected to teach the irregular tú command this unit. Here are some ideas to help you teaching command verbs in Spanish.

Irregular Command Verbs in Spanish
Learning Spanish commands can be challenging, especially when irregular verbs come into play. These irregular forms don’t follow typical conjugation rules. This makes them tricky for both students and teachers.
As Spanish teachers, it’s our job to make these verbs understandable and provide strategies that help students master them. This post will break down irregular command verbs in Spanish, explain how to teach them effectively, and share ideas to make your lessons engaging.
We’ll also cover the imperative form, reflexive pronouns, the tú form, nosotros commands, and the use of direct and indirect object pronouns.
What Are Irregular Command Verbs in Spanish?
Commands in Spanish, also known as the imperative mood, are used to give orders, make requests, or offer advice. While most verbs follow predictable patterns, irregular commands deviate from the norm, making them harder to learn. These irregularities appear in both affirmative and negative commands.
Here are some common examples of irregular tú command verbs in Spanish:
- Hacer: haz (affirmative), no hagas (negative)
- Poner: pon (affirmative), no pongas (negative)
- Decir: di (affirmative), no digas (negative)
- Ir: ve (affirmative), no vayas (negative)
- Salir: sal (affirmative), no salgas (negative)
Teaching these forms early and providing ample practice is key to ensuring students feel confident using them. Additionally, when teaching commands, it’s important to highlight how reflexive pronouns and object pronouns are attached in the imperative form.
Differences Between Affirmative and Negative Irregular Commands
One of the first things to teach is the difference between affirmative and negative commands. Affirmative commands often have shorter, irregular forms, while negative commands require the subjunctive mood. This distinction is especially important when working with the tú form and nosotros commands.
Examples of tú commands:
- Affirmative “tú” commands: ven aquí (Come here), haz la tarea (Do the homework), di la verdad (Tell the truth)
- Negative “tú” commands: No vengas tarde (Don’t come late), No hagas ruido (Don’t make noise).
When pronouns are used with affirmative commands, they are attached to the end of the verb (e.g., dámelo – give it to me). An accent mark is also added, typically on the first vowel.
For negative commands, pronouns are placed before the verb (e.g., No me lo des – don’t give it to me).
How to Teach Irregular Command Verbs in Spanish

Teaching Spanish commands doesn’t have to be boring. Here are a few strategies to make it fun and effective:
Viernes Chant
(from Creative Language Classroom)
A student says “Dame un V” (all repeat V) etc through the letter os VIERNES or Friday.
Use Role-Playing Activities
Create real-life scenarios where students give and follow commands. For example, they can practice commands while giving directions to a classmate or playing a waiter in a restaurant. Encourage the use of reflexive pronouns and direct or indirect object pronouns, such as Lávate las manos (Wash your hands) or Póngamelo aquí (Put it here for me).
Incorporate Visual Aids
Use charts or posters that compare regular and irregular commands in different forms, including the tú form and nosotros commands. Highlight the placement of pronouns in both affirmative and negative commands.
Provide Hands-On Practice
If you are required to teach where all of the pronouns go with commands, you can use the scrambled sentence activity. This will help students work on word order.
Include exercises that require students to correctly place reflexive, direct, or indirect object pronouns, such as transforming Lavar los platos into Lávalos (Wash them).
Encourage Collaboration
Have students work in pairs or groups to create dialogues using irregular commands. Encourage them to use pronouns naturally, such as Dime la verdad (Tell me the truth) or Démosle un regalo (Let’s give him/her a gift).
Introduce Mnemonics and Songs
Songs and rhymes make irregular commands easier to remember. For instance, use a chant for “Haz, Pon, Sal, Ve” to help students memorize common irregular affirmative forms. Include examples with pronouns, such as Hazlo ahora (Do it now). See later in this post for authentic Spanish songs to use.
Real-Life Applications of Irregular Commands
Irregular command verbs in Spanish are essential for practical communication. From asking for help to giving instructions, these verbs appear frequently in daily conversations. Incorporate real-world contexts into your lessons, such as:
- Asking for directions: Dígame dónde está el banco (Tell me where the bank is).
- Giving advice: Haz ejercicio regularmente (Exercise regularly).
- Offering instructions: Pon tu mochila aquí (Put your backpack here).
- Using pronouns naturally: Póntelo (Put it on), Dáselo (Give it to him/her).
Games to Practice Commands in Spanish Class

1, 2, 3, ¡SALTA!
A quick review game where students hear the affirmative command salta repeatedly.
Símon Dice or Simon Says
A great way to practice Spanish commands is the old standby Simon says in Spanish. Have students take turns being the leader Simon and giving everyone commands.
Plate Sketch Game to Practice Spanish Commands
In this activity students listen and follow commands. The example post show a holiday themed game but you can use this and other Paper Plate Activities for Class any time of the year with any theme.

How to Make Formal Commands in Spanish
Formal commands are used when addressing someone in a respectful or professional manner, typically using the usted or ustedes forms. These commands are derived from the present subjunctive conjugation of the verb.
Examples of Formal Commands:
- Hablar: hable (usted), hablen (ustedes)
- Comer: coma (usted), coman (ustedes)
- Escribir: escriba (usted), escriban (ustedes)
Irregular verbs in formal commands often follow the same irregular patterns as in other subjunctive forms:
- Hacer: haga (usted), hagan (ustedes)
- Ir: vaya (usted), vayan (ustedes)
- Ser: sea (usted), sean (ustedes)
When using pronouns with formal commands:
- In affirmative commands, attach pronouns to the end of the verb (e.g., Hágalo – Do it, Pónganse – Put them on).
- In negative commands, place pronouns before the verb (e.g., No lo haga – Don’t do it, No se pongan – Don’t put them on).
Nosotros commands with pronouns
With nosotros commands, irregularities also appear. This is especially when reflexive pronouns or object pronouns are added. Notice a written accent is added as well. For example:
- Hagámoslo (Let’s do it).
- No lo hagamos (Let’s not do it).
Teaching Tips for Formal Commands:
If you have to tach the multiple type of Spanish commands here are some tips.
- Compare Informal and Formal Commands: Highlight differences between tú and usted forms to help students grasp when to use each.
- Practice Real-Life Scenarios: Role-play formal situations such as giving directions or making polite requests.
- Provide Visual Aids: Create charts showing formal and informal command conjugations for regular and irregular verbs.
- Incorporate Pronouns: Include exercises where students practice attaching pronouns correctly, both in affirmative and negative forms.
Songs to Teach Irregular Command Verbs in Spanish
Incorporating authentic Spanish songs that feature irregular command verbs can enhance your lessons and provide students with real-world language examples. Here are some recommendations:

Te Mueves Tú, Se Mueven Todos
First is one of my all time favorite songs for Spanish class. Both to listen to for Música miércoles and dance to for Baile viernes!.
Performed by Ha*Ash, Reik, and David Bisbal, this song encourages movement with commands such as ‘Muévete’ (move) and ‘Levántate’ (get up), showcasing irregular command forms in an engaging way.
Madre Tierra (Oye)
This upbeat song by Chayanne includes commands like ‘Oye’ (listen) and ‘Siente’ (feel), offering students a lively context to hear and practice irregular commands.
Dímelo by Melendi, Andy Clay
Melendi & Andy Clay’s hit features the command ‘Dímelo’ (tell me it). It provides a clear example of an irregular command combined with direct and indirect object pronouns.
Atrévete by Nicky Jam x Sech
Nicky Jam & Sech’s popular song uses the command ‘Atrévete’ (dare yourself). It illustrates the use of reflexive pronouns with irregular commands.
No Dejes de Soñar
Manuel Carrasco’s inspirational song includes the command ‘No dejes’ (don’t stop). It provides an example of a negative command with an irregular verb.

Señor Wooly songs using Commands in Spanish
Additionally, Señor Wooly offers educational songs that, while primarily focusing on other grammatical aspects, can be adapted to teach commands. These are Sr. Wooly songs that can help teach commands
- Sé chévere
- Los Quehaceres
- Pan
Integrating these songs into your curriculum can make learning irregular command verbs more engaging and memorable for your students.
Common Pitfalls and How to Address Them
Students often confuse irregular commands with regular forms or forget to change negative commands to the subjunctive mood. They may also struggle with where to place reflexive or object pronouns. Here are a few tips to address these challenges:
- Clarify Rules Early: Teach students that irregular affirmative commands are exceptions and must be memorized. Explain the rules for pronoun placement in both affirmative and negative commands.
- Practice Frequently: Use repetition and practice these in context to make irregular commands second nature. (Songs are great for this!)
- Highlight Common Errors: Share examples of mistakes, such as attaching a pronoun incorrectly (No házlo instead of No lo hagas), and explain how to avoid them.

Irregular Command Verbs in Spanish Key Takeaways
- Irregular command verbs don’t follow standard conjugation patterns and include forms like haz, pon, ve, and sal.
- Affirmative and negative commands differ in form, with negatives often using the subjunctive.
- Reflexive pronouns, direct object pronouns, and indirect object pronouns play an important role in commands.
- Role-playing, visual aids, and collaborative activities make teaching Spanish commands more effective.
- Frequent practice and immediate feedback help reinforce irregular forms.
Ready-to-Go Spanish Command Practice
Ready to take your lessons on commands to the next level?
Download my Commands Spanish Resource for authentic examples of commands in Spanish.
Use these editable slides in a variety of ways to simplify teaching Spanish commands for your students.
- Use the commands slides as a bell ringer each day to recycle and revisit commands in context.
- Print the slides and post them around your room like a gallery walk. Students can walk and work together or alone on a clipboard.

Conclusion
Teaching Spanish commands, especially irregular ones, doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on patterns, providing ample practice, and using engaging activities, you can help your students master irregular command verbs in Spanish.
Don’t forget to incorporate lessons on the imperative form, reflexive pronouns, and the placement of direct and indirect object pronouns. These skills will give students confidence in both classroom practice and real-world communication.