retrasar Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
retrasar — to delay
Use the imperative of retrasar for direct commands: retrasa (tú), retrase (usted), retrasemos (nosotros), retrasad (vosotros), retrasen (ustedes).
retrasar Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
The imperative is for giving direct orders or instructions. For 'retrasar', you'd use it to tell someone not to delay something, or to hurry up.
Notes on retrasar in the Affirmative Imperative
Retrasar is regular in the affirmative imperative. The 'tú' form 'retrasa' is the same as the present indicative, but context makes the command clear.
Example Sentences
¡Retrasa la reunión solo cinco minutos!
Delay the meeting just five minutes!
tú
Por favor, no retrasen la entrega.
Please, don't delay the delivery.
ustedes
¡Retrasad la salida hasta que lleguen todos!
Delay the departure until everyone arrives!
vosotros
Retrasemos el café para después de comer.
Let's delay the coffee until after lunch.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the subjunctive instead of the imperative for a direct command.
Correct: For a command like 'Delay the start!', use 'Retrasa el inicio' (tú), not 'Retrases el inicio'.
Why: The imperative mood is specifically for commands. The subjunctive is for wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations.
Mistake: Forgetting the 'vosotros' form ending.
Correct: The 'vosotros' imperative is formed by dropping the '-r' from the infinitive and adding '-d': retrasar -> retrasad.
Why: This is a unique imperative ending for the 'vosotros' form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retraso
The present tense of retrasar (retraso, retrasas, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitual delays.
Preterite
yo: retrasé
The preterite of retrasar is regular: retrasé, retrasaste, retrasó, retrasamos, retrasasteis, retrasaron, for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: retrasaba
The imperfect of retrasar (retrasaba, retrasabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual delays in the past.
Future
yo: retrasaré
The future tense of retrasar (retrasaré, retrasarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: retrasaría
The conditional of retrasar (retrasaría, retrasarías, etc.) expresses 'would' delays, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retrase
The present subjunctive of retrasar (retrace, retrases, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retrasara
The imperfect subjunctive of retrasar (retrasara, retrasaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or politeness.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retrases
Negative commands for retrasar use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no retrases (tú), no retrase (usted), no retrasemos (nosotros), no retraséis (vosotros), no retrasen (ustedes).