Verbs: Imperative Mood

01

Affirmative Imperative: Regular Verbs

To form a positive command, you conjugate the verb based on its ending (-ARE, -ERE, or -IRE) and the person you are addressing.

For tu (you, informal)

-ARE verbs use the ending -a. This is the same as the third-person singular (lui/lei) in the present tense.

• Parla più forte, per favore.

  Speak louder, please.

-ERE and -IRE verbs use the ending -i. This is the same as the second-person singular (tu) in the present tense.

• Leggi questo libro.

  Read this book.

• Apri la finestra.

  Open the window.

For noi (we / let's)

The noi imperative is identical to the present tense noi form. It expresses a suggestion or invitation for a group including the speaker, similar to "Let's..." in English.

• Andiamo al cinema stasera!

  Let's go to the movies tonight!

• Mangiamo una pizza.

  Let's eat a pizza.

For voi (y'all / you plural)

The voi imperative is also identical to the present tense voi form. It is used to give a command or suggestion to a group of people.

• Ragazzi, ascoltate la professoressa!

  Guys, listen to the teacher!

• Finite i compiti prima di uscire.

  Finish your homework before going out.

02

The Formal Imperative (Lei)

When addressing someone formally (using Lei), the imperative forms are borrowed from the present subjunctive.

For Lei (you, formal):

-ARE verbs use the ending -i.

• Signora, parli pure.

  Ma'am, go ahead and speak.

-ERE and -IRE verbs use the ending -a.

• Prego, legga il menu.

  Please, read the menu.

• Dottore, mi dica la verità.

  Doctor, tell me the truth.

03

Negative Imperative

To tell someone not to do something, the structure changes, especially for the informal tu.

For tu (you, informal)

Use non followed by the verb in its infinitive form (-are, -ere, -ire).

• Non parlare durante il film.

  Don't talk during the movie.

• Non correre in casa!

  Don't run in the house!

• Non dormire troppo tardi.

  Don't sleep too late.

For noi, voi, and Lei

For all other forms, simply place non before the regular affirmative imperative verb.

• Non andiamo via adesso.

  Let's not leave now. (noi)

• Non aprite quella porta!

  Don't open that door! (voi)

• Signor Rossi, non si preoccupi.

  Mr. Rossi, don't worry. (Lei)

04

Irregular Verbs in the Imperative

Several common verbs have irregular imperative forms, particularly in the tu form.

Each line below gives the four forms in the order tu (informal), Lei (formal), noi (we), voi (you all).

• essere to be - sii, sia, siamo, siate
• avere to have - abbi, abbia, abbiamo, abbiate
• andare to go - va', vada, andiamo, andate
• dare to give - da', dia, diamo, date
• dire to say - di', dica, diciamo, dite
• fare to do - fa', faccia, facciamo, fate
• stare to stay - sta', stia, stiamo, state

The apostrophe in forms like va', da', di', fa', and sta' indicates a shortened form of the original two-syllable word (vai, dai, etc.).

• Sii paziente!

  Be patient!

• Fa' silenzio, per favore.

  Be quiet, please.

• Va' a casa!

  Go home!

05

Pronouns with the Imperative

Object pronouns (like mi, ti, lo, la, ci, vi, li, le, ne) have specific placement rules with the imperative.

With Affirmative Commands

Pronouns are attached directly to the end of the verb, forming a single word.

• Chiamami domani!

  Call me tomorrow!

• Prendilo!

  Take it!

• Parliamone dopo.

  Let's talk about it later.

With the short, irregular tu forms (da', di', fa', sta', va'), the first consonant of the attached pronoun is doubled, except for the pronoun gli.

• Dammi il libro.

  Give me the book.

• Fallo subito!

  Do it right away!

• Dicci cosa pensi.

  Tell us what you think.

• Dagli una mano.

  Give him a hand. (No doubling with gli)

With Negative Commands

Pronouns are placed before the verb.

• Non mi chiamare stasera.

  Don't call me tonight.

• Non lo comprare.

  Don't buy it.

• Signora, non si preoccupi.

  Ma'am, don't worry.

For the informal negative (non + infinitive), the pronoun can also be attached to the end of the infinitive (after dropping the final -e).

• Non dirlo a nessuno.

  Don't tell it to anyone.

• Non mangiarla tutta!

  Don't eat it all!