Verbs: Imperative Mood — Hindi Grammar

The imperative mood is used to give commands, make requests, offer suggestions, or provide instructions. In Hindi, the form of the verb changes based on the level of formality and respect intended toward the listener.

To form the imperative, you must first identify the verb stem. This is done by removing the ending (-nā-na) from the infinitive form of the verb.

Infinitive: (bolnābolna) - to speak → Stem: (bol)
Infinitive: (paṛhnāparhna) - to read → Stem: (paṛhparh)

The Informal Imperative

This form corresponds to the pronoun (tum). It is used with friends, family members of similar age, younger people, or in casual settings.

To form the informal imperative, add the suffix (-o) to the verb stem.

जल्दी चलो!
jaldī calo!jaldi chalo!
Walk fast!
एक गाना गाओ।
ek gānā gāo.ek gana gao.
Sing a song.
मेरे पास आओ।
mere pās āo.mere pas ao.
Come to me.

If the verb stem ends in the vowels (īi), (e), or (ūu), a semi-vowel (y) is often inserted before the ending to aid pronunciation, though the spelling may vary.

पानी पियो।
pānī piyo.pani piyo.
Drink water.

The Polite Imperative

This form corresponds to the pronoun (āpaapa). It is used to address elders, superiors, strangers, or anyone to whom you wish to show respect. It is the safest form to use if you are unsure of the social context.

To form the polite imperative, add the suffix (-ie) to the verb stem.

यहाँ बैठिए।
yahāṃ baiṭhie.yahaṃ baiṭhie.
Please sit here.
हिंदी बोलिए।
hiṃdī bolie.hiṃdi bolie.
Please speak Hindi.
अंदर आइए।
aṃdar āie.aṃdar aie.
Please come inside.

Irregular Polite Forms

There are four common verbs that are irregular in the polite (āpaapa) imperative form. Instead of simply adding (-ie), the stem undergoes a change. Note that their informal (tum) forms remain regular.

1. To do करना (karnā)

Informal: (karo)
Polite: (kījiekijie)

यह काम कीजिए।
yah kām kījie.yah kam kijie.
Please do this work.

2. To give देना (denā)

Informal: (do)
Polite: (dījiedijie)

मुझे किताब दीजिए।
mujhe kitāb dījie.mujhe kitab dijie.
Please give me the book.

3. To take लेना (lenā)

Informal: (lo)
Polite: (lījielijie)

चाय लीजिए।
cāy lījie.chay lijie.
Please take (have) tea.

4. To drink पीना (pīnā)

Informal: (piyo)
Polite: (pījiepijie)

पानी पीजिए।
pānī pījie.pani pijie.
Please drink water.

Negative Commands (Prohibitions)

To tell someone not to do something, place the word (mat) before the verb. This is specific to the imperative mood; the standard negative (nahīṃnahiṃ) is generally not used for direct commands.

वहाँ मत जाओ!
vahāṃ mat jāo!wahaṃ mat jao!
Don't go there! (Informal)
चिंता मत कीजिए।
ciṃtā mat kījie.chiṃta mat kijie.
Please don't worry. (Polite)
यह मत खाओ।
yah mat khāo.yah mat khao.
Don't eat this. (Informal)

Using the Infinitive as a Request

In casual speech, the infinitive form of the verb (ending in (-nā-na)) can function as a neutral or future imperative. This is often used for instructions that should be carried out later, or as a gentle, impersonal command.

कल आना।
kal ānā.kal ana.
Come tomorrow.
अपना ख्याल रखना।
apnā khyāl rakhnā.apna khyal rakhna.
Take care of yourself.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Hindi course

40 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 8. A few of them, with the words “Verbs: Imperative Mood” is about in bold:

जाओ और रसोईघर देखो। यह बहुत छोटा है।
jāo aur rasoīghar dekho. yah bahut choṭā hai.jao aur rasoighar dekho. yah bahut chhoṭa hai.
Go and check out (pl.) the kitchen. It is so small.
Lesson 322
वो मत खाओ! वो सूअर है!
vo mat khāo! vo sūar hai!wo mat khao! wo suar hai!
Don't eat that! That's pork!
Lesson 366
हमारी पिकनिक के लिए चीज़ मत भूलना।
hamārī piknik ke lie cīz mat bhūlnā.hamari piknik ke lie chiz mat bhulna.
Don't forget the cheese for our picnic.
Lesson 477

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