How to Say "do" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “do” is “haz” — use 'haz' when giving a command to a single person you know well (informal 'you')..
haz
/as//as/
Examples
Haz tu cama, por favor.
Make your bed, please.
Si no entiendes, haz una pregunta.
If you don't understand, ask a question.
Haz clic en el enlace para empezar.
Click on the link to start.
The Informal 'You' Command
'Haz' is the command form of 'hacer' (to do/make) that you use when talking to one person you know well, like a friend, a family member, or a child. It's the 'tú' form.
Mixing up 'haz' and 'haces'
Mistake: “'Tú haces la tarea.' (You are doing the homework.)”
Correction: 'Haz la tarea.' (Do the homework.) Use 'haz' to give a command or instruction. Use 'haces' to state a fact or ask a question about what someone does.
haga
/AH-gah//ˈa.ɣa/
Examples
Señor, haga la fila aquí, por favor.
Sir, make the line here, please.
Haga clic en el botón para continuar.
Click the button to continue.
No haga ruido, el bebé está durmiendo.
Don't make noise, the baby is sleeping.
Giving Formal Commands
'Haga' is how you tell someone you call 'usted' (sir, ma'am, or someone you don't know well) to do or make something. It works for both positive commands ('Haga esto') and negative ones ('No haga eso').
Using 'haz' in a formal situation
Mistake: “Profesor, *haz* la pregunta otra vez.”
Correction: Profesor, haga la pregunta otra vez. Use 'haga' for people you should show respect to, like a teacher, a boss, or an older person.
hagan
AH-gahn/ˈa.ɣan/
Examples
Señores, por favor, hagan la fila ordenada.
Gentlemen, please, make an orderly line (command).
Espero que ellos hagan un buen trabajo en el proyecto.
I hope they do a good job on the project (wish/request).
Les pedimos que no hagan ruido después de las diez.
We ask you (all formal) not to make noise after ten (request/prohibition).
Dual Function: Command and Wish
Hagan is used in two main ways: 1) As a formal command ('Ustedes, hagan...') or 2) when expressing a wish, doubt, or emotion about an action a group is doing ('Espero que hagan...').
Irregularity of Hacer
The infinitive is 'hacer,' but it has a vowel change to 'a' in this form. Notice that nearly all the special forms ('haga', 'hagas', 'hagan') use this 'g' sound.
Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative
Mistake: “Using 'Espero que ellos hacen...' (using the regular present tense).”
Correction: You must use 'hagan' after expressions of wishing or emotion: 'Espero que ellos hagan la tarea' (I hope they do the homework).
haced
/ah-SAYD//aˈθeð/
Examples
¡Haced los deberes antes de salir!
Do your homework before going out!
Haced el favor de guardar silencio.
Do [us] the favor of staying quiet.
Haced lo que queráis, no me importa.
Do whatever you all want, I don't mind.
The D-Rule for Commands
To give a command to a group in Spain, simply take the dictionary form of the verb (hacer), remove the 'r', and add a 'd' (haced). It's one of the few completely regular patterns for commands!
Confusing haced with hacer
Mistake: “Using 'hacer' when telling friends to do something.”
Correction: Use 'haced'. While many native speakers lazily use the 'r' version, 'haced' with a 'd' is the grammatically correct way to give a command to a group.
Informal vs. Formal Commands
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