Nosotros Commands in Spanish: A2 Grammar Guide

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Key Takeaways

• Master the conjugation rules for nosotros commands (“let’s” commands)
• Learn how to form both affirmative and negative nosotros commands
• Understand when to use nosotros commands for suggestions and group activities
• Practice making plans, giving suggestions, and proposing group actions
• Learn pronoun placement with nosotros commands in different contexts

Make Suggestions and Plans as a Group

Nosotros commands are how you make suggestions, propose activities, and include yourself in actions with others. Think of them as the Spanish equivalent of “Let’s…” in English. Whether you’re planning a trip with friends, deciding on dinner with family, or organizing a work activity, these commands help you speak naturally in group settings.

When to Use Nosotros Commands (Cuándo Usarlos)

Use nosotros commands for:

• ✅ Making Suggestions: “Let’s go to the movies.”
• ✅ Proposing Activities: “Let’s eat dinner early.”
• ✅ Group Decisions: “Let’s study together.”
• ✅ Including Yourself: When you’re part of the action

Forming Nosotros Commands (Cómo Formar los Mandatos de Nosotros)

Verb Type	Rule	Example	Command	Translation
-AR Verbs	Use -emos ending	hablar → hablemos	Hablemos español.	Let’s speak Spanish.
-ER Verbs	Use -amos ending	comer → comamos	Comamos ahora.	Let’s eat now.
-IR Verbs	Use -amos ending	vivir → vivamos	Vivamos el momento.	Let’s live the moment.

💡 Grammar Tip: The nosotros command is identical to the nosotros form of the present subjunctive. If you know the subjunctive, you already know these commands!

Affirmative vs. Negative Nosotros Commands

Situation	Affirmative Command	Negative Command
Making a suggestion	Hablemos con el jefe. (Let’s talk to the boss.)	No hablemos con el jefe. (Let’s not talk to the boss.)
Proposing an activity	Comamos en ese restaurante. (Let’s eat at that restaurant.)	No comamos allí. (Let’s not eat there.)
Planning an event	Vayamos al cine. (Let’s go to the movies.)	No vayamos al cine. (Let’s not go to the movies.)

Common Irregular Nosotros Commands

Infinitive	Nosotros Command	Example Sentence	Translation
Ir	vayamos	Vayamos a la playa.	Let’s go to the beach.
Saber	sepamos	Sepamos la verdad.	Let’s know the truth.
Ser	seamos	Seamos pacientes.	Let’s be patient.
Dar	demos	Demos un paseo.	Let’s take a walk.
Estar	estemos	Estemos tranquilos.	Let’s be calm.

🔍 Grammar Focus: Notice that many irregular nosotros commands follow the same patterns as the present subjunctive. The verb “ir” is the most commonly used irregular – make sure to remember “vayamos”!

Stem-Changing Verbs in Nosotros Commands

-AR and -ER Verbs: No stem change in nosotros form

• pensar: Pensemos (Let’s think)
• volver: Volvamos (Let’s return)

-IR Verbs: Stem change occurs in nosotros form

• pedir: Pidamos (Let’s ask for)
• dormir: Durmamos (Let’s sleep)

Pronoun Placement with Nosotros Commands

With Affirmative Commands: Attach pronouns to the end

• “Let’s do it” → Hagámoslo
• “Let’s tell them” → Digámosles
• “Let’s give it to them” → Démoselo

With Negative Commands: Place pronouns before the verb

• “Let’s not do it” → No lo hagamos
• “Let’s not tell them” → No les digamos
• “Let’s not give it to them” → No se lo demos

Putting It All Together: Real-Life Scenarios

Scenario 1: Making Weekend Plans
Ana: Vayamos al nuevo parque este fin de semana.
Carlos: Buena idea. Llevemos comida para un picnic.
Ana: Sí, preparemos sandwiches. No gastemos mucho dinero.
Carlos: Perfecto. Encontremos un lugar con sombra.

Translation:
Ana: Let’s go to the new park this weekend.
Carlos: Good idea. Let’s bring food for a picnic.
Ana: Yes, let’s prepare sandwiches. Let’s not spend a lot of money.
Carlos: Perfect. Let’s find a shady spot.

Scenario 2: Work Meeting
Jefe: Terminemos este proyecto hoy. Revisemos los detalles primero.
Equipo: Compartamos las tareas. No nos estresemos.
Jefe: Trabajemos en equipo. Celebremos cuando terminemos.

Nosotros Commands vs. Other Command Forms

Situation	Command Type	Example
Suggesting to a group	Nosotros	Vayamos al cine. (Let’s go to the movies.)
Telling a friend	Informal (Tú)	Ve al cine. (Go to the movies.)
Giving polite instruction	Formal (Usted)	Vaya al cine. (Go to the movies.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using “vamos” instead of “vayamos”: “Vamos” is the indicative, “vayamos” is the command for “Let’s go.”
2. Wrong pronoun placement: “Hagamoslo” (incorrect) → Hagámoslo (correct – add accent).
3. Forgetting stem changes: -IR verbs like “pedir” change to “pidamos.”
4. Using with individuals: Nosotros commands always include the speaker and others.
5. Confusing with English: “Let’s” always translates to nosotros command, not other forms.

Quick Reference Chart

Situation	Rule	Example
Affirmative Regular	Use present subjunctive nosotros	Hablemos, Comamos, Vivamos
Affirmative Irregular	Memorize common verbs	Vayamos, Sepamos, Seamos
Negative Commands	Same form + “no”	No hablemos, No comamos
Pronouns Affirmative	Attach to end + add accent	Hagámoslo, Digámosles
Pronouns Negative	Place before verb	No lo hagamos, No les digamos
Stem Changes	-IR verbs change in nosotros	Pidamos, Durmamos

Practice Exercise: Convert to Nosotros Commands

Convert these sentences to nosotros commands:

1. (Affirmative) We should speak Spanish. → ________ español.
2. (Negative) We shouldn’t go late. → No ________ tarde.
3. (Affirmative) We should do the homework. → ________ la tarea.
4. (Negative) We shouldn’t worry. → No ________.

Answers:

1. Hablemos español.
2. No lleguemos tarde.
3. Hagamos la tarea.
4. No nos preocupemos.

💻 Practice Conjugations Live! Use our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool to practice nosotros commands with any verb.

Ready to Make Suggestions?

Think you’ve mastered nosotros commands? Test your ability to make group suggestions and plans in Spanish!

Take Our Nosotros Commands Quiz ►

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