estropear Negative Imperative Conjugation
estropear — to damage or break
Negative commands use 'no' plus present subjunctive: 'no estropees' (don't break).
estropear Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
This is how you tell someone *not* to do something. For 'estropear,' you'll use 'no' followed by the present subjunctive form, like 'no estropees' for 'tú' or 'no estropee' for 'usted'.
Notes on estropear in the Negative Imperative
All negative commands are formed using the present subjunctive. Estropear is regular in the present subjunctive.
Example Sentences
No estropees el jarrón.
Don't break the vase.
tú
Por favor, no estropee mi coche.
Please, don't break my car.
usted
No estropeemos la sorpresa.
Let's not spoil the surprise.
nosotros
No estropeéis el pastel.
Don't ruin the cake.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive after 'no' for commands.
Correct: Use the subjunctive form: 'No estropear' is wrong; 'No estropees' is correct.
Why: Spanish requires the subjunctive mood after 'no' when giving negative commands.
Mistake: Confusing negative commands with the present indicative.
Correct: Remember to use the subjunctive: 'No estropean' is incorrect; 'No estropeen' is correct.
Why: The subjunctive mood is essential for negative commands.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: estropeo
Present estropeo, estropeas, etc. describes current actions or habits: 'Yo estropeo las plantas si no las riego' (I ruin the plants if I don't water them).
Preterite
yo: estropeé
The preterite of estropear is regular: estropeé, estropeaste, estropeó, estropeamos, estropeasteis, estropearon.
Imperfect
yo: estropeaba
Imperfect estropeaba, estropeabas describes ongoing or habitual past actions: 'Antes estropeaba mis juguetes' (I used to break my toys).
Future
yo: estropearé
Future estropearé, estropearás predicts or assumes something will break: 'El vaso se estropeará' (The glass will break).
Conditional
yo: estropearía
Conditional estropearía, estropearías expresses hypotheticals ('would break'): 'Si tuviera dinero, no estropearía el coche' (If I had money, I wouldn't break the car).
Present Subjunctive
yo: estropee
Use present subjunctive estropee, estropeen etc. for wishes, doubts, and emotions: 'Espero que no estropees nada' (I hope you don't break anything).
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: estropeara
Use imperfect subjunctive estropeara/estropéara for past hypotheticals or wishes, like 'Si estropeara...' (If I were to break...)
Affirmative Imperative
yo: estropea
Use imperative estropea, estropee, etc. for direct commands, like '¡Estropea el vaso!' (Break the glass!).