imperative: regular verbs

The German Imperative (Commands and Requests)

The imperative is used to give orders, make requests, or offer advice. In German, the form depends on whom you are addressing: one person informally (du), multiple people informally (ihr), or one or more people formally (Sie).

1. Informal Singular (du)

This form is for friends, family, or children. Generally, you take the verb stem and the ending -e is optional, especially in spoken German.

• Kauf(e) das Brot! (Buy the bread!)
• Komm(e) in den Garten! (Come into the garden!)
• Setz(e) dich! (Sit down!)

Special Rules for Singular:

• Vowel Changes (e → i/ie): If a verb changes from -e- to -i- or -ie- in the present tense, it never takes an -e ending.
  • Lies! (Read!)
  • Gib! (Give!)
  • Nimm! (Take!)
• Stems ending in -d, -t, -ig, -m, -n: If the root ends in these letters, the -e is usually kept for easier pronunciation.
  • Arbeite! (Work!)
  • Warte! (Wait!)
  • Entschuldige bitte! (Excuse me, please!)
• Verbs in -el: These drop the -e- from the root but keep the ending.
  • Klingele laut! (Ring loudly!)

2. Informal Plural (ihr)

This is used for a group of friends or children. Simply use the verb stem plus the ending -t. It is identical to the "ihr" form in the present tense, but without the pronoun.

• Kauft! (Buy!)
• Wartet! (Wait!)
• Singt! (Sing!)

3. Formal (Sie)

This is the polite form for strangers or superiors. Use the infinitive (ending in -en) followed by the pronoun Sie.

• Kaufen Sie! (Buy!)
• Warten Sie! (Wait!)
• Singen Sie! (Sing!)

Softening the Tone

Imperatives can sound harsh. In colloquial speech, Germans often use "modal particles" like mal or doch to sound more polite or natural.

• Komm mal her! (Just come over here!)

Sometimes, du or ihr is added after the verb for emphasis:

• Geht ihr schon vor! (You guys go on ahead!)