Useful Spanish Commands: 70+ Mexican Spanish Imperatives (So You Don’t Mime Everything)
If you can give (or understand) simple commands in Spanish, you can survive a lot: directions, quick favors, service moments, and those tiny emergencies where your brain suddenly forgets every word you’ve ever learned.
Below you’ll get Mexican Spanish imperatives with IPA pronunciation, clear meanings, and real-life examples. Tap 🔊 to hear the Spanish out loud.
“Commands” sound bossy in English. In Spanish, adding por favor instantly turns you from “villain monologue” into “polite human.” Use it like hot sauce: often, and with joy.
8 Essential Commands You’ll Use Constantly
High-frequency, high-utility, low-drama. These are the ones you’ll actually say while your brain is buffering.
Espera
/esˈpe.ɾa/Wait.
Use it: “Espera un segundo.” (Hold on a second.)
Mira
/ˈmi.ɾa/Look.
Use it: “Mira, aquí está.” (Look, here it is.)
Escucha
/esˈku.tʃa/Listen.
Use it: “Escucha esto, por favor.”
Sígueme
/ˈsi.ɣe.me/Follow me.
Use it: “Sígueme; te muestro.” (Follow me; I’ll show you.)
Alto
/ˈal.to/Stop! / Halt!
Use it: Quick, serious “stop.”
Dime
/ˈdi.me/Tell me.
Use it: “Dime dónde es.” (Tell me where it is.)
Ayúdame
/aˈʝu.ða.me/Help me.
Use it: “Ayúdame, por favor.”
Más despacio
/mas ðesˈpa.sjo/Slower.
Use it: “Más despacio, por favor.”
Real-Life Phrases You Can Say Today
These are polite, practical commands (and command-adjacent requests) that work in real situations: directions, service, tech, and “please help my brain.”
Espere un momento, por favor.
/esˈpe.ɾe un moˈmen.to poɾ faˈβoɾ/Please wait a moment.
Example: “Espere un momento, ya lo atiendo.”
“Please wait a moment, I’ll help you now.”
Siga derecho y luego doble a la izquierda.
/ˈsi.ɣa ðeˈɾe.tʃo i ˈlwe.ɣo ˈðo.βle a la isˈkjeɾ.ða/Go straight, then turn left.
Example: “Siga derecho y luego doble a la izquierda en la esquina.”
“Go straight and then turn left at the corner.”
¿Me lo puede repetir, por favor?
/me lo ˈpwe.ðe re.peˈtiɾ poɾ faˈβoɾ/Can you repeat that, please?
Example: “¿Me lo puede repetir, pero más despacio?”
“Can you repeat that, but slower?”
Hábleme más despacio.
/ˈa.βle.me mas ðesˈpa.sjo/Speak to me more slowly.
Example: “Hábleme más despacio, por favor.”
“Speak to me more slowly, please.”
Muéstreme en el mapa.
/ˈmwes.tɾe.me en el ˈma.pa/Show me on the map.
Example: “Muéstreme en el mapa dónde está.”
“Show me on the map where it is.”
Póngalo en una bolsa, por favor.
/ˈpoŋ.ga.lo en ˈu.na ˈβol.sa poɾ faˈβoɾ/Put it in a bag, please.
Example: “Póngalo en una bolsa; es para llevar.”
“Put it in a bag; it’s to go.”
No se preocupe, yo me encargo.
/no se pɾeˈo.ku.pe ʝo me eŋˈkaɾ.ɣo/Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.
Example: “No se preocupe; yo lo arreglo.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll fix it.”
Cierre la puerta, por favor.
/ˈsje.re la ˈpweɾ.ta poɾ faˈβoɾ/Close the door, please.
Example: “Cierre la puerta, hace frío.”
“Close the door, it’s cold.”
Enciéndalo y reinícielo.
/enˈsjen.da.lo i re.iˈni.sje.lo/Turn it on and restart it.
Example: “Enciéndalo y reinícielo, por favor.”
“Turn it on and restart it, please.”
Pásele, adelante.
/ˈpa.se.le a.ðeˈlan.te/Come in / Go ahead.
Example: “Pásele, adelante; siéntese.”
“Go ahead; sit down.”
Écheme la mano, porfa.
/ˈe.tʃe.me la ˈma.no ˈpoɾ.fa/Help me out, please. (very Mexico)
Example: “Écheme la mano con esto, porfa.”
“Help me out with this, please.”
No se acerque.
/no se aˈseɾ.ke/Don’t come closer. (formal)
Example: “No se acerque, por favor.”
“Please don’t come closer.”
Llámeme cuando llegue.
/ˈʝa.me.me ˈkwan.do ˈʝe.ɣe/Call me when you arrive. (formal-ish)
Example: “Llámeme cuando llegue, por favor.”
“Call me when you arrive, please.”
Tráigame un vaso de agua, por favor.
/ˈtɾaj.ɣa.me un ˈβa.so ðe ˈa.ɣwa poɾ faˈβoɾ/Bring me a glass of water, please.
Example: “Tráigame un vaso de agua; hace mucho calor.”
“Bring me a glass of water; it’s very hot.”
Déjeme pasar, por favor.
/ˈde.xe.me paˈsaɾ poɾ faˈβoɾ/Please let me through.
Example: “Déjeme pasar; voy con prisa.”
“Let me through; I’m in a hurry.”
Mini tip: sound polite without sounding “too formal”
Add por favor to soften commands, and use ¿Me puede…? (formal) or ¿Me puedes…? (casual) when you want it to feel like a request.
Command Cheat Sheets (with examples)
These tables are grouped by situation so you can learn in chunks (your brain loves chunks). Every row has an example you can steal.
1) Get attention + control the pace
Perfect for “wait—listen—repeat—slower—again.”
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning (EN) | Example (ES) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Escucha | /esˈku.tʃa/ | Listen. | Escucha esto, por favor. | Listen to this, please. | |
Oye (OH-yeh) | /ˈo.je/ | Hey / Listen. | Oye, ven tantito. | Hey, come here a sec. | |
Mira | /ˈmi.ɾa/ | Look. | Mira, aquí está el problema. | Look, here’s the problem. | |
Fíjate (FEE-ha-teh) | /ˈfi.xa.te/ | Notice / Pay attention. | Fíjate en el letrero. | Pay attention to the sign. | |
Espera | /esˈpe.ɾa/ | Wait. | Espera un segundo. | Wait a second. | |
Un momento | /un moˈmen.to/ | One moment. | Un momento, ya regreso. | One moment, I’ll be right back. | |
Más despacio | /mas ðesˈpa.sjo/ | Slower. | Más despacio, por favor. | Slower, please. | |
Más rápido | /mas ˈra.pi.ðo/ | Faster. | Más rápido, que vamos tarde. | Faster—we’re late. | |
Repite | /reˈpi.te/ | Repeat. | Repite, no entendí. | Repeat it—I didn’t understand. | |
Otra vez | /ˈo.tɾa βes/ | Again. | Dilo otra vez, por favor. | Say it again, please. | |
Con calma | /koŋ ˈkal.ma/ | Calmly / Take it easy. | Con calma, no hay prisa. | Take it easy—no rush. | |
No te preocupes | /no te pɾe.oˈku.pes/ | Don’t worry. (tú) | No te preocupes, todo está bien. | Don’t worry, everything’s fine. |
2) Move people (or yourself) around
Come, go, sit, stand—life is basically stage directions.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning (EN) | Example (ES) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ven | /ben/ | Come. (tú) | Ven aquí, por favor. | Come here, please. | |
Venga | /ˈbeŋ.ga/ | Come. (usted) | Venga conmigo. | Come with me. | |
Vamos | /ˈba.mos/ | Let’s go. | Vamos, ya es tarde. | Let’s go—it’s late. | |
Sígueme | /ˈsi.ɣe.me/ | Follow me. (tú) | Sígueme; está por aquí. | Follow me; it’s this way. | |
Siga | /ˈsi.ɣa/ | Follow / Continue. (usted) | Siga, por favor. | Go ahead, please. | |
Entra | /ˈen.tɾa/ | Come in. (tú) | Entra, no pasa nada. | Come in—it’s all good. | |
Sal | /sal/ | Go out / Leave. (tú) | Sal por la derecha. | Go out on the right. | |
Siéntate | /ˈsjɛn.ta.te/ | Sit down. (tú) | Siéntate aquí, por favor. | Sit here, please. | |
Siéntese | /sjɛnˈte.se/ | Sit down. (usted) | Siéntese, por favor. | Have a seat, please. | |
Levántate | /leˈβan.ta.te/ | Stand up / Get up. (tú) | Levántate un momento. | Stand up for a moment. | |
Acércate | /aˈseɾ.ka.te/ | Come closer. (tú) | Acércate para que veas. | Come closer so you can see. | |
Aléjate | /aˈle.xa.te/ | Move away. (tú) | Aléjate un poco, por favor. | Move back a little, please. |
3) Directions & navigation commands
Your future self will thank you the next time GPS gets dramatic.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning (EN) | Example (ES) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sigue derecho | /ˈsi.ɣe ðeˈɾe.tʃo/ | Go straight. | Sigue derecho dos cuadras. | Go straight two blocks. | |
Dobla a la izquierda | /ˈðo.βla a la isˈkjeɾ.ða/ | Turn left. | Dobla a la izquierda en la esquina. | Turn left at the corner. | |
Dobla a la derecha | /ˈðo.βla a la ðeˈɾe.tʃa/ | Turn right. | Dobla a la derecha después del semáforo. | Turn right after the traffic light. | |
Gira | /ˈxi.ɾa/ | Turn / Rotate. (tú) | Gira un poquito a la izquierda. | Turn a little to the left. | |
Regresa | /reˈɣɾe.sa/ | Go back / Return. (tú) | Regresa por donde venimos. | Go back the way we came. | |
Cruza | /ˈkɾu.sa/ | Cross. (tú) | Cruza la calle con cuidado. | Cross the street carefully. | |
Pasa | /ˈpa.sa/ | Go ahead / Come in. (tú) | Pasa, estás en tu casa. | Come in—make yourself at home. | |
Para | /ˈpa.ɾa/ | Stop. (tú) | Para aquí, por favor. | Stop here, please. | |
Alto | /ˈal.to/ | Stop! / Halt! | ¡Alto! Hay un coche. | Stop! There’s a car. | |
Ten cuidado | /ten kwiˈða.ðo/ | Be careful. (tú) | Ten cuidado con el escalón. | Be careful with the step. | |
Aguanta | /aˈɣwan.ta/ | Hold on / Wait. (tú) | Aguanta tantito, ya voy. | Hold on a bit—I’m coming. | |
Apúrate (ah-POO-ra-teh) | /aˈpu.ɾa.te/ | Hurry up. (tú) | Apúrate, se va el camión. | Hurry up—the bus is leaving. |
4) Communication & “help me understand” commands
Great for learning, clarifying, and not guessing wildly.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning (EN) | Example (ES) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dime | /ˈdi.me/ | Tell me. (tú) | Dime qué pasó. | Tell me what happened. | |
Dígame | /ˈdi.ɣa.me/ | Tell me. (usted) | Dígame su nombre, por favor. | Tell me your name, please. | |
Explícame | /eksˈpli.ka.me/ | Explain to me. (tú) | Explícame cómo funciona. | Explain how it works to me. | |
Escríbelo | /esˈkɾi.βe.lo/ | Write it down. | Escríbelo aquí, por favor. | Write it here, please. | |
Léelo | /ˈle.e.lo/ | Read it. | Léelo en voz alta. | Read it out loud. | |
Mándame un mensaje | /ˈman.da.me un menˈsa.xe/ | Send me a message. | Mándame un mensaje cuando puedas. | Message me when you can. | |
Llámame | /ˈʝa.ma.me/ | Call me. | Llámame en cinco minutos. | Call me in five minutes. | |
Contéstame | /konˈtes.ta.me/ | Answer me / Reply to me. | Contéstame cuando puedas. | Reply when you can. | |
Pregúntame | /pɾeˈɣun.ta.me/ | Ask me. | Pregúntame si tienes duda. | Ask me if you have a question. | |
Escanéalo | /es.kaˈne.a.lo/ | Scan it. | Escanéalo con tu celular. | Scan it with your phone. | |
Tradúcelo | /tɾaˈðu.se.lo/ | Translate it. | Tradúcelo al inglés, por favor. | Translate it into English, please. | |
Pronúncialo | /pɾoˈnun.sja.lo/ | Pronounce it. | Pronúncialo otra vez, por favor. | Pronounce it again, please. |
5) Objects, home, and tech (open/close/on/off)
Useful at home, at work, and in the timeless ritual of “why isn’t this turning on.”
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning (EN) | Example (ES) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abre | /ˈa.βɾe/ | Open. (tú) | Abre la ventana, por favor. | Open the window, please. | |
Cierra | /ˈsje.ra/ | Close. (tú) | Cierra la puerta. | Close the door. | |
Enciende | /enˈsjen.de/ | Turn on. (tú) | Enciende la luz, por favor. | Turn on the light, please. | |
Apaga | /aˈpa.ɣa/ | Turn off. (tú) | Apaga la tele. | Turn off the TV. | |
Sube | /ˈsu.βe/ | Go up / Raise it. (tú) | Sube el volumen, por favor. | Turn up the volume, please. | |
Baja | /ˈba.xa/ | Go down / Lower it. (tú) | Baja un poco la música. | Lower the music a little. | |
Ponlo aquí | /pon.lo aˈki/ | Put it here. | Ponlo aquí, junto a la bolsa. | Put it here, next to the bag. | |
Quítalo | /ˈki.ta.lo/ | Remove it / Take it off. | Quítalo de la mesa. | Take it off the table. | |
Pásame eso | /ˈpa.sa.me ˈe.so/ | Pass me that. | Pásame eso, por favor. | Pass me that, please. | |
Tráeme agua | /ˈtɾa.e.me ˈa.ɣwa/ | Bring me water. | Tráeme agua, porfa. | Bring me water, please. | |
Déjalo | /ˈde.xa.lo/ | Leave it. | Déjalo ahí, no pasa nada. | Leave it there—it’s fine. | |
Guárdalo (GWAHR-dah-lo) | /ˈɣwaɾ.ða.lo/ | Put it away / Save it. | Guárdalo para mañana. | Save it for tomorrow. |
6) Service + urgent/safety commands
Helpful in restaurants, offices, and “please don’t touch that” moments.
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning (EN) | Example (ES) | Translation (EN) | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Traiga la cuenta, por favor | /ˈtɾaj.ɣa la ˈkwen.ta poɾ faˈβoɾ/ | Bring the bill, please. (usted) | Traiga la cuenta, por favor; ya nos vamos. | Bring the bill, please—we’re leaving now. | |
Pague aquí | /ˈpa.ɣe aˈki/ | Pay here. (usted) | Pague aquí, por favor. | Pay here, please. | |
Firme aquí | /ˈfiɾ.me aˈki/ | Sign here. (usted) | Firme aquí y listo. | Sign here and you’re done. | |
Muéstreme su identificación | /ˈmwes.tɾe.me su i.ðen.ti.fi.kaˈsjon/ | Show me your ID. (usted) | Muéstreme su identificación, por favor. | Show me your ID, please. | |
Espere en la fila | /esˈpe.ɾe en la ˈfi.la/ | Wait in line. (usted) | Espere en la fila, por favor. | Please wait in line. | |
Siéntese, por favor | /sjɛnˈte.se poɾ faˈβoɾ/ | Please sit down. (usted) | Siéntese, por favor; ya lo atiendo. | Please sit down; I’ll help you now. | |
Llame al 911 | /ˈʝa.me al nwe.βe un.o un.o/ | Call 911. (usted) | Llame al 911, por favor. | Call 911, please. | |
Ayúdeme | /aˈʝu.ðe.me/ | Help me. (usted) | Ayúdeme, por favor. | Help me, please. | |
Pare aquí | /ˈpa.ɾe aˈki/ | Stop here. (usted) | Pare aquí, por favor. | Stop here, please. | |
No toque eso | /no ˈto.ke ˈe.so/ | Don’t touch that. (usted) | No toque eso, está caliente. | Don’t touch that—it’s hot. | |
Suelte eso | /ˈswel.te ˈe.so/ | Let go of that. (usted) | Suelte eso, por favor. | Let go of that, please. | |
Déjeme pasar | /ˈde.xe.me paˈsaɾ/ | Let me through. (usted) | Déjeme pasar, por favor. | Please let me through. |
Polite vs. Casual Variants (Quick swap table)
If you’re speaking to a stranger, customer service, or someone older, default to usted. With friends, tú is normal. (And yes, Spanish has receipts for politeness.)
Common “tú” vs “usted” pairs
Same idea, different vibe.
| Casual (tú) | Formal (usted) | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
Dime /ˈdi.me/ | Dígame /ˈdi.ɣa.me/ | Tell me. | |
Ven /ben/ | Venga /ˈbeŋ.ga/ | Come. | |
Siéntate /ˈsjɛn.ta.te/ | Siéntese /sjɛnˈte.se/ | Sit down. | |
Ayúdame /aˈʝu.ða.me/ | Ayúdeme /aˈʝu.ðe.me/ | Help me. | |
Pásame (eso) /ˈpa.sa.me/ | Páseme (eso) /ˈpa.se.me/ | Pass me (that). | |
No te preocupes /no te pɾe.oˈku.pes/ | No se preocupe /no se pɾeˈo.ku.pe/ | Don’t worry. |
If you say “Más despacio, por favor” with a calm face, you sound like a responsible adult. If you say it with panic eyes, you still sound like a responsible adult—just one who’s currently downloading Spanish at 2%.
