Imperativ (Imperative)

The Imperativ is used to give commands, instructions, suggestions, or requests. It addresses one or more people directly and expresses what they should do. The tone can be polite, neutral, or forceful depending on context and intonation.

Mood:

The Imperativ uses the imperative mood, which is specifically for direct commands or requests.

• Mood: Imperative (used to instruct, request, or command)

Usage:

• To give direct commands: Komm hierher! (Come here!)
• To make polite or soft requests: Bitte warten Sie hier. (Please wait here.)
• To give advice or encouragement: Mach weiter so! (Keep it up!)
• To offer something or invite: Nehmt Platz! (Take a seat!)

Formation:

The Imperativ form in German depends on the pronoun (du, ihr, Sie, wir):

1. Du (informal singular)

   • Use the stem of the verb (often without the ending -st).
   • Drop the pronoun du in the imperative sentence.
   • For some verbs, drop the final -e (optional in writing, common in speech).
     • Example: Komm! (Come!) or Komme! (Come!)

2. Ihr (informal plural)

   • Use the present tense ihr-form (ending -t), without the pronoun.
     • Example: Kommt! (Come!)

3. Sie (formal singular/plural)

   • Use the infinitive + Sie, keeping the pronoun after the verb.
     • Example: Kommen Sie! (Come!)

4. Wir (first person plural)

   • Use infinitive + wir for suggestions that include the speaker.
     • Example: Gehen wir! (Let’s go!)

Conjugation:

Person	Example Verb: kommen (to come)
Du	Komm!
Ihr	Kommt!
Sie	Kommen Sie!
Wir	Kommen wir!

Common Words with Imperatives:

• Bitte (please) – softens the tone
• Los! (go!) – adds urgency
• Mach schnell! (hurry up!) – emphasizes speed
• Sei … (be …) – for sein in imperative (e.g., Sei ruhig! – Be quiet!)

Examples:

• Lies das Buch! (Read the book!) – du form, strong command
• Esst das Gemüse! (Eat the vegetables!) – ihr form, plural
• Hören Sie gut zu! (Listen carefully!) – Sie form, polite
• Seien Sie vorsichtig! (Be careful!) – Sie form with sein
• Gehen wir ins Kino! (Let’s go to the cinema!) – wir form, suggestion