defenderse Negative Imperative Conjugation
defenderse — to defend oneself
The negative imperative uses 'no' + present subjunctive: no te defiendas.
defenderse Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
Use this to tell someone NOT to defend themselves, perhaps if the situation is dangerous or defense is unnecessary.
Notes on defenderse in the Negative Imperative
Pronouns move to the front (between 'no' and the verb). The stem change (ie) applies to all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Example Sentences
No te defiendas, es mejor ignorarlo.
Don't defend yourself, it's better to ignore it.
tú
No se defiendan todavía.
Don't defend yourselves yet.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: No defiéndete.
Correct: No te defiendas.
Why: Negative commands must use the subjunctive form, and pronouns must come before the verb.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me defiendo
The present of defenderse is stem-changing (e-ie) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Preterite
yo: me defendí
The preterite of defenderse is completely regular, following standard -er endings.
Imperfect
yo: me defendía
The imperfect of defenderse is regular: me defendía, te defendías, se defendía...
Future
yo: me defenderé
The future of defenderse is regular: me defenderé, te defenderás, se defenderá...
Conditional
yo: me defendería
The conditional is regular: me defendería, te defenderías, se defendería...
Present Subjunctive
yo: me defienda
The present subjunctive keeps the e-ie stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: me defendiera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'defendier-' stem: me defendiera, te defendieras...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: defiéndete
In the affirmative imperative, pronouns attach to the end: defiéndete, defiéndase.