retar Negative Imperative Conjugation
retar — to challenge
Negative commands for retar use the present subjunctive: no retes, no rete, no retemos, no retéis, no reten.
retar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
You use the negative imperative of 'retar' to tell someone *not* to do something. It's the opposite of a command.
Notes on retar in the Negative Imperative
All negative commands in Spanish use the present subjunctive form of the verb. So, 'retar' follows the regular present subjunctive pattern.
Example Sentences
No retes a nadie si no estás seguro de poder cumplir.
Don't challenge anyone if you're not sure you can follow through.
tú
No retemos a la suerte, mejor estudiemos más.
Let's not challenge fate, let's study more instead.
nosotros
No retes al profesor a un debate, es una batalla perdida.
Don't challenge the professor to a debate, it's a lost battle.
tú
No retéis al destino, sed precavidos.
Don't challenge destiny, be cautious.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: Instead of 'No retar a nadie', use 'No retes a nadie'.
Why: Negative commands always require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing the 'tú' and 'usted' forms.
Correct: For 'tú' it's 'no retes', for 'usted' it's 'no rete'.
Why: These are distinct forms in the present subjunctive, which is used for negative commands.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: reto
The present tense of retar (reto, retas, reta, retamos, retáis, retan) means to challenge now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: reté
The preterite of retar is regular: reté, retaste, retó, retamos, retasteis, retaron.
Imperfect
yo: retaba
The imperfect of retar (retaba, retabas, retaba, retábamos, retabais, retaban) describes past challenges that were ongoing or habitual.
Future
yo: retaré
The future tense of retar (retaré, retarás, retará, retaremos, retaréis, retarán) indicates future challenges.
Conditional
yo: retaría
The conditional of retar (retaría, retarías, retaría, retaríamos, retaríais, retarían) suggests hypothetical challenges ('would challenge').
Present Subjunctive
yo: rete
The present subjunctive of retar (rete, retes, retemos, retéis, reten) follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retara
The imperfect subjunctive of retar (retara, retaras, retáramos, retarais, retaran) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: reta
Use the imperative of retar for direct commands: reta, rete, retemos, retad, reten.