Imperativo (Imperative)

The Imperativo is used to give commands, instructions, suggestions, invitations, or encouragement directly to someone. It is addressed to one or more people and can be either formal or informal depending on the situation.

Mood:

The Imperativo uses the imperative mood, which expresses direct requests, instructions, or orders.

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

Usage:

• To give direct commands:
  Parla più lentamente! (Speak more slowly!)
• To offer encouragement:
  Coraggio, continua! (Come on, keep going!)
• To make invitations:
  Vieni a cena con noi! (Come to dinner with us!)
• To give instructions:
  Seguite le indicazioni. (Follow the directions.)
• In negative form to tell someone not to do something:
  Non fumare qui. (Don’t smoke here.)

Formation:

The Imperativo has forms for tu, voi, Lei (formal singular), and Loro (formal plural), as well as noi for suggestions ("let’s …").

1. Tu (informal singular)

   • For -are verbs, use the 3rd person singular present indicative form (no pronoun).
     • Example: Parla! (Speak!)
   • For -ere and -ire verbs, use the 2nd person singular present indicative form.
     • Example: Prendi! (Take!), Apri! (Open!)
   • Irregular forms: fa’ (do), da’ (give), sta’ (stay), di’ (say), va’ (go), abbi (have), sii (be).

2. Voi (informal plural)

   • Use the present indicative voi form (ending -ate, -ete, -ite).
     • Example: Parlate! (Speak!), Prendete! (Take!), Aprite! (Open!)

3. Lei (formal singular)

   • Use the 3rd person singular present subjunctive form.
     • Example: Parli! (Speak!), Prenda! (Take!), Apra! (Open!)

4. Loro (formal plural)

   • Use the 3rd person plural present subjunctive form.
     • Example: Parlino! (Speak!), Prendano! (Take!), Aaprano! (Open!)

5. Noi (first person plural)

   • Use the present subjunctive noi form to express “let’s …”.
     • Example: Parliamo! (Let’s speak!), Prendiamo! (Let’s take!)

Negative Imperative:

• For tu, use non + infinitive:
  Non parlare! (Don’t speak!)
• For voi, Lei, Loro, and noi, use non + imperative form:
  Non parlate! (Don’t speak!), Non parli! (Don’t speak!)

Conjugation:

Parlare (to speak) – Regular -are verb

Person	Form
Tu	parla
Voi	parlate
Lei	parli
Loro	parlino
Noi	parliamo

Prendere (to take) – Regular -ere verb

Person	Form
Tu	prendi
Voi	prendete
Lei	prenda
Loro	prendano
Noi	prendiamo

Aprire (to open) – Regular -ire verb

Person	Form
Tu	apri
Voi	aprite
Lei	apra
Loro	aprano
Noi	apriamo

Common Expressions:

• Ascolta! (Listen!)
• Guarda! (Look!)
• Andiamo! (Let’s go!)
• Stia attento! (Be careful! – formal)
• Non ti preoccupare. (Don’t worry – informal)

Examples:

• Parla più lentamente, per favore. (Speak more slowly, please.)
• Prendete le vostre cose e venite con me. (Take your things and come with me.)
• Apra la porta, Signore. (Open the door, sir.)
• Non toccare il quadro! (Don’t touch the painting!)
• Andiamo a fare una passeggiata. (Let’s go for a walk.)