Nosotros (“Let's”) Commands

The present tense subjunctive nosotros/nosotras form is used to give a command addressed to a group that includes the speaker. To create an affirmative command such as this in English, you place “let's” in front of the verb:

• Let's dance the tango.

• Let's attend the concert this Saturday.

To make a negative command of this type in English, you use “let's not”:

• Let's not forget to buy the tickets this time.

• Let's not put them on the credit card.

Spanish speakers simply use the “we” form of the subjunctive to indicate “let's”:

• Bailemos el tango.

• Asistamos al concierto este sábado.

The negative command is formed in the same way, but with a no or other negative word placed in front.

• No olvidemos comprar las entradas esta vez.

• No las pongamos en la tarjeta de crédito.

One exception to the above rule is the verb ir, whose subjunctive form is used only for the negative nosotros/nosotras command. The affirmative nosotros/nosotras command is the indicative form: vamos.

• Vamos a la fiesta esta noche.

• Let's go to the party tonight.

• Tengo prisa. No vayamos al centro comercial primero.

• I'm in a hurry. Let's not go to the mall first.

The affirmative nosotros/nosotras command form of a reflexive verb attaches the reflexive pronoun nos to the end of the subjunctive nosotros/nosotras form of the verb. This creates a tongue twister, so Spanish speakers drop the s that would have preceded the nos.

• Sentémonos en la primera fila.

• Let's sit in the first row.

• Vistámonos como piratas este año.

• Let's dress as pirates this year.

• Casémonos en Jamaica en la playa.

• Let's get married in Jamaica on the beach.

Even though the affirmative nosotros/nosotras command form of ir is irregular, it is still necessary to drop the s in front of the pronoun nos.

• Vámonos para el aeropuerto.

• Let's leave for the airport.

However, because the negative command requires the pronoun to precede the subjunctive nosotros/nosotras form, there is no need to drop any letters in this case.

• No nos olvidemos del horno cuando salgamos.

• Let's not forget about the oven when we leave.

• No nos durmamos durante su presentación.

• Let's not fall asleep during his presentation.

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