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Italian • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

imperative: spelling

💡 Grammar Rule

Italian Affirmative Imperative: Spelling Adjustments for -care, -gare, -ciare, and -giare Verbs

In the Italian affirmative imperative, most verbs follow standard conjugation patterns. However, verbs ending in -care, -gare, -ciare, and -giare require small spelling changes to maintain their original pronunciation when combined with certain endings.

1. Verbs ending in -care and -gare

Verbs like cercare (to look for) and pagare (to pay) have a "hard" c or g sound. To keep this sound before endings that start with -i, we must add an h. This happens in the formal singular (Lei), first person plural (noi), and formal plural (Loro) forms.

  • Cercare (to look for):
    • Cerca! (Informal you)
    • Cerchi! (Formal you - Added 'h')
    • Cerchiamo! (Let's look for - Added 'h')
    • Cercate! (Y'all)
    • Cerchino! (Formal plural - Added 'h')
    Example: Cerchiamo casa in questa zona! (Let's look for a house in this area!)

  • Pagare (to pay):
    • Paga! (Informal you)
    • Paghi! (Formal you - Added 'h')
    • Paghiamo! (Let's pay - Added 'h')
    • Pagate! (Y'all)
    • Paghino! (Formal plural - Added 'h')
    Example: Paghi il conto, per favore, Signora. (Pay the bill, please, Ma'am.)

2. Verbs ending in -ciare and -giare

Verbs like cominciare (to begin) and mangiare (to eat) already have an i in their stem to create a "soft" sound. When the imperative ending also starts with an i, the extra i from the stem is dropped because it is no longer needed for pronunciation. This maintains a single i.

  • Cominciare (to begin):
    • Comincia! (Informal you)
    • Cominci! (Formal you - Dropped stem 'i')
    • Cominciamo! (Let's begin - Dropped stem 'i')
    • Cominciate! (Y'all)
    • Comincino! (Formal plural - Dropped stem 'i')
    Example: Cominci a lavorare, Signora! (Start working, Ma'am!)

  • Mangiare (to eat):
    • Mangia! (Informal you)
    • Mangi! (Formal you - Dropped stem 'i')
    • Mangiamo! (Let's eat - Dropped stem 'i')
    • Mangiate! (Y'all)
    • Mangino! (Formal plural - Dropped stem 'i')
    Example: Mangiamo qualcosa! (Let's eat something!)

Note: These adjustments are purely orthographic (spelling-based). The actual grammar endings of the imperative remain regular; the changes simply ensure the verb sounds the same throughout its conjugation.

Do I pay now?
Pago adesso?
Pay at the desk, please, sir.
Paghi alla cassa, per favore, signore.
We are hungry.
Abbiamo fame.
Let’s eat a pizza!
Mangiamo una pizza!
Where is the street?
Dov’è la strada?
Look for the map here, madam.
Cerchi la mappa qui, signora.
The movie is starting.
Il film inizia.
Let’s start the show right now!
Cominciamo subito lo spettacolo!
I don’t understand.
Non capisco.
Explain the lesson, please.
Spieghi la lezione, per favore.
The coffee is expensive.
Il caffè è caro.
Let’s pay together.
Paghiamo insieme.
What do I eat?
Cosa mangio?
Eat the salad, sir.
Mangi l’insalata, signore.
We are lost.
Siamo persi.
Let’s look for a taxi.
Cerchiamo un taxi.
When do I start?
Quando inizio?
Start tomorrow morning.
Cominci domani mattina.
We love the sea.
Amiamo il mare.
Let’s travel to Italy!
Viaggiamo in Italia!
The bill is ready.
Il conto è pronto.
Pay with the card, madam.
Paghi con la carta, signora.
Is the pasta good?
La pasta è buona?
Let’s taste it now!
Assaggiamola adesso!
I need help.
Ho bisogno di aiuto.
Look for the manager.
Cerchi il direttore.
Where is the ball?
Dov’è il pallone?
Let’s play in the park.
Giochiamo al parco!
It is eight o’clock.
Sono le otto.
Start the meeting, please.
Cominci la riunione, per favore.
The exercise is difficult.
L’esercizio è difficile.
Let’s explain the rules.
Spieghiamo le regole.
Is this for me?
Questo è per me?
Yes, eat everything.
Sì, mangi tutto.
I love you.
Ti amo.
Let’s kiss!
Baciamoci!
How much is it?
Quanto costa?
Pay ten euros.
Paghi dieci euro.
The keys are gone.
Le chiavi sono sparite.
Let’s look for them in the kitchen.
Cerchiamole in cucina.
The computer is off.
Il computer è spento.
Connect the cable, sir.
Colleghi il cavo, signore.
Are we looking for the hotel?
Cerchiamo l’hotel?
Yes, let’s look on this street.
Sì, cerchiamo in questa strada.

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