retrasar Negative Imperative Conjugation
retrasar — to delay
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).
retrasar Negative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Negative Imperative
Use negative commands to tell someone *not* to do something. With 'retrasar', you'd tell someone not to cause a delay.
Notes on retrasar in the Negative Imperative
Retrasar is regular in the negative imperative, which simply uses 'no' plus the present subjunctive forms.
Example Sentences
No retrases la llamada, es urgente.
Don't delay the call, it's urgent.
tú
No retrasen la votación por ningún motivo.
Do not delay the vote for any reason.
No retraséis la cena, por favor.
Don't delay dinner, please.
vosotros
No retrasemos el viaje, el tiempo apremia.
Let's not delay the trip, time is pressing.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: Say 'No retrasar la reunión' is incorrect for a command. Use 'No retrases la reunión' (tú) or 'No retrase la reunión' (usted).
Why: Negative commands always use the subjunctive mood, not the infinitive.
Mistake: Confusing 'no retrases' with 'no retrase'.
Correct: 'No retrases' is for 'tú' (informal you), while 'no retrase' is for 'usted' (formal you).
Why: Spanish distinguishes between formal and informal 'you' in commands.
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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.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retrasa
Use the imperative of retrasar for direct commands: retrasa (tú), retrase (usted), retrasemos (nosotros), retrasad (vosotros), retrasen (ustedes).