Why is "no te preocupes" subjunctive and not imperative?

Question

Why is "no te preocupes" in the subjunctive form instead of the imperative?

In english grammar: "Don't worry" would be considered an imperative declaration, or a command.

I can kind of see why it would not be a command, and yet I can't see why it would be in the subjunctive.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

It is a command in Spanish, but all negative imperatives in Spanish take the subjunctive:

No lo hagas (don't do it)

No te levantes (don't get up)

No lo bebas (don't drink it)

Took the words straight out of my mouth lol :] - 0088b3fa, Mar 30, 2011

Perfect explaination, Jen! - 005faa61, Mar 30, 2011

Wonderful response Jenny::) - FELIZ77, Mar 30, 2011

Answer 2

This is a subjunctive form. Negative familiar commands are in the subjunctive.

Answer 3

In general the imperative and subjunctive forms are spelled the same in Spanish, except in the 2nd person familiar. Then there's a uniquely different form for the positive 2nd person familiar imperative, but not the negative. Why? Why not?

Answer 4

(Te ordeno/ruego/pido que) no lo hagas (I order/beg/ask you not you to do it)

(Te ordeno/ruego/pido que) no te levantes (I order/beg/ask you not to get up)

(Te ordeno/ruego/pido que) no lo bebas (I order/beg/ask you not to drink it)