Verbs: Imperative Mood

01

Speaking to One Person

Which present form the command copies depends on the verb, and there is no pronoun. An -a verb, and an -i verb that adds -esc-, uses the he/she form. The other verbs are split: many use the tu form, especially verbs with no object such as "go" and "sleep", while others use the he/she form, such as spune (tell) and scrie (write). The command is best learned together with the verb:

• Mănâncă!

  Eat! (the he/she form of a mânca)

• Citește!

  Read! (the he/she form of a citi)

• Mergi drept!

  Go straight! (the tu form of a merge)

A few very common verbs have a shape of their own:

• Vino aici!

  Come here!

• Stai!

  Stop! / Wait!

02

Speaking to Several People (or Politely)

The plural command is the same as the voi present form, ending in -ți. This is also the form you use to command one person politely:

• Mergeți drept!

  Go straight! (to several, or polite)

• Scuzați!

  Excuse me! (polite)

• Stați!

  Wait! (plural / polite)

03

Object Pronouns Hook On the End

In a positive command, a short pronoun attaches to the back of the verb with a hyphen:

• Spune-mi!

  Tell me!

• Dă-mi cartea.

  Give me the book.

• Du-te acasă.

  Go home.

04

Negative Commands

To tell one person not to do something, use nu + the infinitive (dictionary form without a). For several people, use nu + the normal plural command:

• Nu pleca!

  Don't leave! (to one person)

• Nu plecați!

  Don't leave! (to several)