Imperative

The form is useful for giving orders or advice and to request or prohibit something.

Introduction

In German, there are three different imperative verb forms. These are for "du" (you), "ihr" (you plural) and "Sie" (you formal). The one we use depends on who we're giving the order to.

• (du): Lies den Text. (Read the text.)
• (ihr): Lest den Text. (Read the text.)
• (Sie): Lesen Sie den Text. (Read the text.)

Forming Imperative

Regular Verbs

• Du

• Ihr

• Sie

If the verb stem already ends in -s, -ß, -x, or -z, you add an extra -e in the imperative.

• Erganze das Wort für die Lücke!

Verbs that change vowel e => i

These verbs follow general rules

• Du
  • Du nimmst => Imperativ: Nimm!
• Ihr
  • Ihr nehmt => Imperativ: Nehmt!
• Sie
  • Sie nehmen=> Imperativ: Nehmen Sie!

Verbs that change vowel a => ä

These verbs verbs that would usually change their vowel in the "du"-form, do not in the imperative. Instead, they keep the vowel of their basic (infinitive) form.

• Du
  • Du fährst => Imperativ: Fahr!
• Ihr
  • Ihr fahrt => Imperativ: Fahrt!
• Sie
  • Sie fahren => Imperativ: Fahren Sie!
  • Fahr mit uns nach Hause! (Drive home with us!)

sein and haben

These verbs verbs that would usually change their vowel in the "du"-form, do not in the imperative. Instead, they keep the vowel of their basic (infinitive) form.

sein

• du: sei
• ihr: seid
• Sie: seien Sie

haben

• du: hab
• ihr: habt
• Sie: haben Sie

Adding Bitte

We add the word "bitte" (please) after the imperative form to express a polite request.

• Kauft bitte Milch.

Doch an Mal

Doch s generally used to put emphasis on something, adds urgency to a command

• “Komm doch!” — “Do come!”
• "Trinken Sie doch Wasser!" — “Do drink water" (urgent)

Mal expresses impatience:

• "Trinken Sie mal Wasser!" — “Come on and drink water! (impatient)"

Doch mal, is more relaxed

• "Trinken Sie doch mal Wasser!" — “Go ahead and drink" (not forceful)

Created: 02 Oct 2022

Last Update: 16 Feb 2025