How to Say "don't attack" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “don't attack” is “ataques” — B2 level.
Examples
Te pido que no ataques su reputación públicamente.
I ask you not to attack his reputation publicly.
Si tú ataques primero, tendrás la ventaja.
If you attack first, you will have the advantage. (Colloquial use replacing indicative)
¡No ataques al equipo contrario, solo defiéndete!
Don't attack the opposing team, just defend yourself!
The Subjunctive Form
This form ('ataques') is the special verb ending used when the action isn't certain, or when you express wishes, doubts, or requests about what the informal 'you' (tú) does: 'Quiero que tú ataques' (I want you to attack).
Spelling Change (C to QU)
The verb 'atacar' is mostly regular, but its stem changes from 'c' to 'qu' whenever it comes before an 'e' (like in the subjunctive and preterite forms) to keep the hard 'k' sound.
Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative
Mistake: “Using the normal present form when expressing a wish: 'Espero que tú atacas'.”
Correction: You must use the subjunctive form: 'Espero que tú ataques'. This change signals that the action is desired, not a fact.
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