How to Give Instructions in Spanish: First, Then, Next, Finally
Learn to sequence instructions in Latin American Spanish with primero, luego, después and finalmente, plus the command forms you need to give real directions.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Giving instructions is not the same as listing ingredients. A recipe list says 'eggs, flour, sugar.' A sequence says 'first beat the eggs, then add the flour, and finally bake.' In Spanish, this sequencing is done with a small set of linking words: primero, luego, después and finalmente. These words do not change form, so you can use them with any verb. The verbs themselves, however, do change: when you tell someone to do something, Spanish normally uses the imperative (command) form, not the infinitive you see in a recipe title. This lesson teaches both pieces together so you can give clear, natural step-by-step instructions in everyday Latin American Spanish.
By the end, you can…
- sequence instructions in Spanish using primero, luego, después and finalmente.
- give simple commands in the tú form to tell someone what to do in each step.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Primero, lava las verduras.
First, wash the vegetables.
PREE-meh-roh, LAH-vah lahs behr-DOO-rahs
Primero opens a sequence. It stays the same whether you are talking to one person or many.
Luego, corta la cebolla.
Then, cut the onion.
LWEH-goh, KOHR-tah lah seh-BOH-yah
Luego means 'then' or 'next' and is very common in everyday speech across Latin America.
Después, agrega la sal.
After that, add the salt.
dehs-PWEHS, ah-GREH-gah lah sahl
Después is slightly more explicit than luego and often introduces a later step.
Finalmente, sirve la comida.
Finally, serve the food.
fee-nahl-MEHN-teh, SEER-beh lah koh-MEE-dah
Finalmente closes the sequence. Por último is a common alternative with the same meaning.
Primero mezcla, luego hornea.
First mix, then bake.
PREE-meh-roh MEHS-klah, LWEH-goh ohr-NEH-ah
Two steps can be joined in one sentence with a comma; no extra word is required between them.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic pattern is: sequencing word + command + object. For example, 'Primero, calienta el aceite. Luego, añade la cebolla. Después, cocina por cinco minutos. Finalmente, apaga el fuego.' The sequencing words are invariable adverbs, so they never change for gender or number. The command, however, does change: 'lava' (tú, one person), 'lave' (usted, formal), 'laven' (ustedes, plural). Choose the command form that matches who you are speaking to.
When to use it
Use this sequence when the order matters: recipes, directions, homework steps, or workplace procedures. If you are only naming items, do not use these linkers; a list like 'huevos, harina, azúcar' needs no primero or luego. Also note that luego can mean 'later' in time ('Te llamo luego'), so context decides. In writing, commas after primero, luego, después and finalmente make the steps easier to read aloud.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Me ayudas a preparar la sopa?
Can you help me make the soup?meh ah-YOO-dahs ah preh-pah-RAHR lah SOH-pahClaro. Primero, lava las verduras.
Sure. First, wash the vegetables.KLAH-roh. PREE-meh-roh, LAH-vah lahs behr-DOO-rahsListo. ¿Y luego?
Done. And then?LEES-toh. ee LWEH-gohLuego corta la cebolla y finalmente agrega la sal.
Then cut the onion and finally add the salt.LWEH-goh KOHR-tah lah seh-BOH-yah ee fee-nahl-MEHN-teh ah-GREH-gah lah sahlA little context goes a long way
In much of Latin America, luego is the default 'then' in speech, while después sounds a little more deliberate or written. Finalmente is neutral and widely understood; por último is equally common and slightly warmer in tone. In Spain, you will also hear a continuación in formal instructions, but it is less frequent in casual Latin American conversation.
One thing to watch for
Using the infinitive to give a command, as in 'Primero lavar las verduras' when speaking directly to someone.
Try this instead: Infinitive forms belong on recipe cards and signs, not in direct speech. When you address a person, use the command form: 'Primero lava las verduras' (tú) or 'Primero lave las verduras' (usted). The sequencing word stays the same; only the verb changes.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'First, wash the vegetables' to one friend?
Show a sample answer
Primero, lava las verduras.
Primero introduces the first step, and lava is the tú command of lavar. 'Primero, lave las verduras' is also correct if you are speaking formally to one person.
2Which word would you use to close a sequence: luego or finalmente?
Show a sample answer
Finalmente.
Finalmente marks the last step. Por último works the same way. Luego signals a middle step, not the end.
3Translate: 'Then cut the onion.'
Show a sample answer
Luego, corta la cebolla.
Luego means 'then,' and corta is the tú command of cortar. Después, corta la cebolla is also correct and slightly more explicit.
Sequence with primero, luego, después and finalmente, and match each step with a command form that fits the person you are speaking to.
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