enfriar Negative Imperative Conjugation
enfriar — to cool
Negative commands with 'enfriar' use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no enfríes' (you, informal).
enfriar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
You use the negative imperative to tell someone *not* to do something. For 'enfriar', it would be like telling someone not to cool something down, perhaps if it needs to stay warm: 'No enfríes la comida' (Don't cool the food down).
Notes on enfriar in the Negative Imperative
All negative commands in Spanish are formed using the present subjunctive. 'Enfriar' follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs in the present subjunctive.
Example Sentences
No enfríes el café, lo quiero caliente.
Don't cool the coffee down, I want it hot.
tú
No enfriemos la sopa todavía.
Let's not cool the soup down yet.
nosotros
No enfríen el vino blanco.
Don't cool the white wine down.
ustedes
No enfriéis la bebida.
Don't you all cool the drink down.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the affirmative imperative form in a negative command.
Correct: Always use the present subjunctive after 'no' for commands: 'no enfríes', not 'no enfría'.
Why: This is a fundamental rule for negative commands in Spanish.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent in forms like 'no enfríen'.
Correct: The accent on the 'i' is crucial for pronunciation and correct spelling in the ustedes/ellos/ellas and vosotros forms of the present subjunctive.
Why: The accent marks the stressed syllable, which is important for correct pronunciation.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: enfrío
The present tense of 'enfriar' ('enfrío', 'enfrías', 'enfría') describes actions happening now or habitual cooling.
Preterite
yo: enfrié
The preterite of 'enfriar' is regular: 'enfrié', 'enfriaste', 'enfrió', 'enfriamos', 'enfriasteis', 'enfriaron'.
Imperfect
yo: enfriaba
The imperfect of 'enfriar' ('enfriaba', 'enfriabas', 'enfriaba') describes ongoing or habitual cooling in the past.
Future
yo: enfriaré
The future tense of 'enfriar' ('enfriaré', 'enfriarás', 'enfriará') indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: enfriaría
The conditional of 'enfriar' ('enfriaría', 'enfriarías', 'enfriaría') is used for hypotheticals ('would cool') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: enfríe
The present subjunctive of 'enfriar' (like 'enfríe' or 'enfríen') is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: enfriara
Use the imperfect subjunctive of 'enfriar' (like 'enfriara' or 'enfriase') for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: enfría
Use 'enfriar' imperative for direct commands like 'enfría' (you, informal) or 'enfríe' (you, formal).