Learn how to use Nosotros Commands in Spanish in three simple steps. Confidently communicate “Let’s do something…” in this mini Spanish lesson.
Drawing on past knowledge of other Spanish moods and tenses, you can easily learn how to use Nosotros Commands today! Using Nosotros Commands allows you to make plans and jump into action, just as “Let’s” does in English.
¡Comencemos la lección! ¡Estudiemos los mandatos nosotros! ¡Miremos el siguiente vídeo para entender cómo se usan!
Let’s start the lesson! Let’s study Nosotros commands! Let’s watch the following video to understand how to use them!
Now you’ve seen the video, let’s break down la gramática. First, draw on your knowledge of Usted/Ustedes commands.
To learn how to use Nosotros Commands, start with the same opposite endings associated with Usted / Ustedes commands.
| Opposite endings | Nosotros command | |
| Verbo AR (disfrutar) | –emos | Disfrutemos (let’s enjoy) |
| Verbo ER / IR (comer) | –amos | Comamos (let’s eat) |
Many of the same Usted/Ustedes conjugation rules apply to Nosotros Commands.
Verbs with irregularities in Yo are maintained. If you need a recap on Usted / Ustedes commands, check out this blog to review. Go to the Yo, drop the O, add opposite endings:
| Verbo | Yo form | Drop the O | Add ending | English |
| Salir | salgo | sal | salgamos | Let’s leave |
| Conocer | conozco | conozc | conozcamos | Let’s get to know / meet a person |
Gar, Car, Zar verbs also have special spelling changes.
| Gar | Car | Zar |
| Pagar | Buscar | Comenzar |
| Paguemos | Busquemos | Comencemos |
| (Let’s pay) | (Let’s look for) | (Let’s start) |
Irregular verbs in the Nosotros Commands are the same as irregular verbs in Usted/Ustedes Commands
| Dar | demos | let’s give |
| (no) Ir | (no) vayamos | let’s not go |
| Ser | seamos | let’s be |
| Estar | estemos | let’s be |
| Saber | sepamos | let’s know |
It’s important to note that in reality, the Nosotros Commands for Estar/Dar are actually regular. No accents needed, as they follow the same AR verb rules from above. Simply add the opposite ending “emos”. There are, however, a few surprises with Nosotros Commands.
How to use Ir in the affirmative Nosotros Command
To use the verb Ir or “to go” in the affirmative Nosotros command, don’t use vayamos. Only use vayamos in the negative:
| No vayamos por ese camino. |
| Let’s not go down that road. |
To use Ir in the affirmative Nosotros command, you can just use the presente indicativo: vamos.
| ¡Vamos para la playa! |
| Let’s go to the beach! |
Stem Changing Verbs are different in the Nosotros Commands
Stem-changing verbs have two important differences! Firstly, AR/ER verbs with Stem Changes in the present indicative DO NOT have changes in the Nosotros Command.
| Pensemos (Let’s think) |
| Volvamos (Let’s return) |
So, any verb with a stem change that ends in AR/ER will not have a change in the Nosotros Command.
IR Stem Changing Verbs
Verbs that end in IR will have stem changes in the Nosotros Command. There are only two stem changes that occur in Nosotros Commands: e to i or o to u.
| Pedir (e-i) | Pidamos | Let’s order / ask for something |
| Dormir (o-u) | Durmamos | Let’s sleep |
Interestingly, IR verbs with e to ie change also have an e to i change in the Nosotros Command.
| No mentir (e-i) = no mintamos |
| Let’s not lie |
So remember to always use a stem change for IR verbs in the Nosotros Command. This is the same rule as for the present subjunctive mood, the preterit past tense, and the formation of gerunds – ando/iendo verbs!
Don’t forget to download the FREE PDF to practice Nosotros Commands.
If you want to learn more about Commands in Spanish, join CGI’s upcoming workshop series.
In this workshop series, our teachers will cover all of the Spanish language commands in the imperative mood in addition to how to use them with pronouns. Master Spanish Commands and register here.
