derribar Negative Imperative Conjugation
derribar — to knock down
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive forms, like 'no derribes' (tú).
derribar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
You use the negative imperative to tell someone *not* to do something. For 'derribar', it's like saying 'Don't knock down the building!'
Notes on derribar in the Negative Imperative
All negative commands in Spanish are formed using the present subjunctive. 'Derribar' follows the regular pattern for -ar verbs in the present subjunctive.
Example Sentences
No derribes el castillo de arena.
Don't knock down the sandcastle.
tú
Por favor, no derriben la señal.
Please, don't knock down the sign.
ustedes
No derribemos el árbol sin preguntar.
Let's not knock down the tree without asking.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive after 'no' for commands.
Correct: Use the present subjunctive form: 'no derribar' is incorrect; 'no derribes' is correct.
Why: Spanish negative commands require the subjunctive mood, not the infinitive.
Mistake: Confusing tú and usted negative commands.
Correct: Remember 'tú' is 'no derribes' and 'usted' is 'no derribe'.
Why: These forms come directly from the present subjunctive conjugations.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'derribar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: derribo
Present tense 'derribo', 'derribas', etc., describes current or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: derribé
The preterite of 'derribar' is regular: derribé, derribaste, derribó, derribamos, derribasteis, derribaron.
Imperfect
yo: derribaba
Imperfect 'derribaba' describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: derribaré
Future tense 'derribaré', 'derribarás' etc., predicts or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: derribaría
Conditional 'derribaría' expresses hypotheticals ('would') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derribe
Present subjunctive (e.g., 'derribe') is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: derribara
The imperfect subjunctive (e.g., 'derribara', 'derribase') expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: derriba
Use imperative forms like 'derriba' (tú) for direct commands with 'derribar'.