Don’t Run In Spanish | Clear Phrases For Every Situation

The cleanest way to say it is “No corras,” with “No corra” as the polite version and “No corráis” used in Spain.

You’re here because you want one thing: the right Spanish phrase for “don’t run,” said the way native speakers actually say it. Not a textbook chunk you’ll never use. Not a stiff line that sounds off in a hallway, a store, or a street.

The good news is that Spanish gives you a direct, natural command for this. The trick is picking the version that matches who you’re talking to, then saying it with a calm tone that fits the moment. This article gets you both: the correct grammar and the real-life phrasing.

What “Don’t run” means in real talk

In English, “don’t run” can be a safety warning, a parent reminder, or a gentle nudge in a museum. Spanish works the same way. You choose a command form, then you shape the mood with your voice and a couple of small add-ons.

Most of the time, Spanish speakers don’t build this command with a special “imperative negative” verb form. They use no plus a form that matches the present subjunctive for that person. That’s why you’ll see endings that look like “corras” and “corra.” The Real Academia Española notes that negative commands use the subjunctive instead of the imperative form. RAE grammar note on negative imperatives using subjunctive.

So the core message is simple: you’ll almost always start with no, then pick the right “you” form, then say the verb. After that, you decide if you want the tone to feel firm, polite, or friendly.

Don’t Run In Spanish with the right tone

Here are the most used versions, with plain guidance on when to choose each one. If you only learn one line today, learn the first one.

Don’t run for “tú” (one person, casual)

No corras. This is what you say to a kid, a friend, a classmate, or anyone you’d address as tú. It’s direct and normal. It can be gentle or strict depending on your voice.

Want it softer? Add a small courtesy word at the end: No corras, por favor. Want it sharper without getting rude? Clip it short and lower your voice: No corras.

Don’t run for “usted” (one person, polite)

No corra. Use this with an adult you don’t know well, a customer, a guest, or anyone you address as usted. It fits signs and staff instructions, too.

If you’re giving a safety instruction and still want it polite, this version lands well. The RAE’s usage guidance on imperatives covers how these command statements work and why they’re used for requests and warnings. RAE guidance on the imperative for requests and warnings.

Don’t run for “ustedes” (more than one person)

No corran. This is the go-to plural “you” in most of Latin America. It works for a group: kids in a line, guests at an event, people in a lobby.

It’s also a safe choice in mixed settings where you don’t want to guess whether a group expects vosotros or ustedes.

Don’t run for “vosotros” (Spain plural)

No corráis. You’ll hear this in Spain when speaking to a group in a casual way. If you’re traveling there, it’s handy for classes, tours, and everyday talk with more than one person.

Don’t run for “vos” (one person, used in many countries)

No corras. In many places where vos is used, the negative command often matches the tú negative form, so No corras still works. If you use local voseo regularly, you may also hear variations in other verbs, yet this one is usually straightforward in daily speech.

How to say it so it sounds natural

Spanish commands can sound harsh if you punch every syllable. You don’t need a dramatic voice. A steady tone does more than extra words. Think “firm parent,” “calm teacher,” or “staff member keeping a space safe.”

Pronunciation tips that prevent awkward moments

• No corras: “noh KOH-rras” (rolled or tapped rr depending on your accent).
• No corra: “noh KOH-rra.”
• No corran: “noh KOH-rran.”
• No corráis: “noh koh-RRAH-ees.”

If your rr is tough, don’t freeze. Most listeners still understand you from the rhythm and the context. Aim for clarity, not perfection.

Small add-ons that change the mood fast

Spanish often uses short add-ons after the command. They’re optional, yet they’re useful when you want a specific feel.

• Por favor for polite: No corra, por favor.
• Aquí for “here”: No corras aquí.
• Adentro for “inside”: No corran adentro.
• Despacio for “slowly”: No corras, despacio.

If you want a short, natural reason, keep it brief: No corras, hay gente. That’s often enough.

Where each version fits best

Choosing the right “you” form is the whole game. If you match that, your command sounds normal. If you miss it, it can sound too stiff or too familiar. The Instituto Cervantes teaching notes show the basic pattern for negative commands as no plus a subjunctive form. Instituto Cervantes note on imperativo negativo pattern.

Use this shortcut when you’re deciding on the spot: if you’d say “you” casually in English, use No corras. If you’d add “sir/ma’am” in English, use No corra. If you’re speaking to a group, use No corran in most places, and No corráis when you’re using vosotros.

Now let’s lock it in with a practical table you can skim in two seconds.

Common situations and the best Spanish line

Situation	Best phrase	Notes on tone
Talking to one child (casual)	No corras.	Calm voice works; add “por favor” if you want gentle.
Talking to one adult you don’t know	No corra, por favor.	Polite, fits staff instructions and requests.
Talking to a group (Latin America common)	No corran.	Clear group command; pair with “aquí” for location.
Talking to a group using “vosotros”	No corráis.	Casual plural in Spain; say it once, not repeatedly.
Indoor rule (home, hall, store)	No corran adentro.	Add the place to keep it from sounding scolding.
Safety warning (wet floor, stairs)	No corran, por favor.	Keep the reason short if you add one.
Sports setting (stop sprinting nearby)	No corras por aquí.	“Por aquí” softens and points the boundary.
Museum or quiet place	No corran, por favor.	Polite version avoids sounding harsh in a quiet room.
To someone rushing in a line	No corra, despacio.	Redirects behavior without sounding angry.

Why the verb form looks like subjunctive

If you’ve studied Spanish a bit, you may notice something odd: corras and corra match present subjunctive forms. That’s not a coincidence. Spanish negative commands use the subjunctive forms instead of the affirmative imperative. The RAE explains this rule directly in its grammar section on imperative statements with negation. RAE grammar basics on imperative properties and forms.

You don’t need to memorize a new system just for “don’t run.” You just need the right “you” form and the habit of placing no right before the verb.

Easy swaps that make your Spanish sound fluent

Once you’ve got No corras, you can build a bunch of natural lines by swapping a single word. This is how people speak in real settings: short command, short boundary.

Swap the place

• No corras aquí. (here)
• No corras allá. (over there)
• No corran en el pasillo. (in the hallway)
• No corran en las escaleras. (on the stairs)

Swap the reason

• No corras, te puedes caer. (you can fall)
• No corran, hay vidrio. (there’s glass)
• No corra, está mojado. (it’s wet)

Keep reasons short. One clause is enough. If you stack reasons, the command loses punch.

Second table: Quick conjugation cheat for “correr” in commands

Who you’re talking to	Negative command	Plain English
Tú (one person, casual)	No corras	Don’t run
Usted (one person, polite)	No corra	Please don’t run
Ustedes (group)	No corran	Don’t run (all of you)
Vosotros (group, Spain casual)	No corráis	Don’t run (you all)
Nosotros (group including you)	No corramos	Let’s not run

Mini practice that sticks in your head

Take 60 seconds and run these out loud. You’ll feel the pattern lock in. Say each line twice, slow then normal speed.

• No corras. / No corras aquí.
• No corra, por favor. / No corra por aquí.
• No corran. / No corran adentro.
• No corráis. / No corráis en el pasillo.
• No corramos. / No corramos, despacio.

If you trip over corráis, don’t worry. If you’re not using vosotros day to day, you can skip it and still communicate cleanly in most settings.

Copy-ready lines you can use right away

Here’s a tight set of lines that fit most real moments. Pick one, stick with it, and you’ll sound steady.

Short and direct

• No corras.
• No corra.
• No corran.

Polite and firm

• No corra, por favor.
• No corran, por favor.
• No corras, por favor.

With a boundary

• No corras aquí.
• No corran adentro.
• No corran en las escaleras.

With a gentle redirect

• No corras, despacio.
• No corra, despacio.
• No corran, despacio.

If you only remember one line from this whole page, make it No corras. It’s common, clear, and easy to pair with por favor when you want a softer touch.