Why is it some words don't change when it's a command?

Question

When you say "Help me ", it's ayúdame, why is this? Same thing with Cuéntale When it's other words there is a change. "No me toques" "Dimelo" Can someone explain this? Thanks in advance!

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, May 7, 2017

Answer 1

Here are links to what you need to know.

By "words don't change" I think you mean that the tú form of an affirmative command (help me = ayúdame) is (generally) conjugated like the third person singular of the present tense (ayuda). The tú form of a negative command is different (don't help me = no me ayudes, don't touch me = no me toques).

Again, follow the above link to learn about affirmative and negative tú and usted commands.

The negative "tú" command uses the same form as the subjunctive. - Daniela2041, May 6, 2017

I would guess that Ladlaw121 does not know what the subjunctive is. - jtaniel, May 6, 2017

I do know what the subjunctive is, but I've noticed after posting that for some commands you use indirect commands, tú commands, Usted, etc. The answer of the negative tú commands using subjunctive doesn't help, because even in positive commands it change - Ladlaw121, May 7, 2017

Just like saying it's imperative, a.k.a it's direct doesn't hemp much. I read those articles and how does one make that differentiation since technically Ud. command is still "direct", but it still changes. How does one truly discern? - Ladlaw121, May 7, 2017

For example, how do you decide to tell someone, "Aprende español" vs. "Aprenda español". If you're talking to a person directly anyway, how do you know what's best to use and why? - Ladlaw121, May 7, 2017

Your "aprende"/"aprenda" dilemma is simply the old usted/tú question. Search this forum for " usted tú " (without quotation marks) or do a Google search for when to use usted or tú. - jtaniel, May 7, 2017

As for positive commands that change, look for the Irregular Affirmative Tú Commands section on the Affirmative Informal (Tú) Commands page. Irregulars just need to be learned. Like conjugating in the present: tener (tengo), conocer (conozco).... - jtaniel, May 7, 2017