Chapter 22: Imperative (Der Imperativ)
Introduction
The imperative mood in German is used to give commands, requests, advice, or instructions. It’s an essential part of everyday conversation and crucial for clear communication, whether you’re asking someone to do something politely or firmly. Mastering the imperative lets you interact naturally in various contexts—at work, with friends, or when giving directions.
This chapter explains how to form the imperative in German, the different forms for du, ihr, and Sie, polite and informal usage, and how to soften or strengthen commands.
Vocabulary
Common Verbs for Imperative Practice
| German Verb | English Meaning | Example Imperative Command |
|---|---|---|
| gehen | to go | Geh! (Go!) |
| kommen | to come | Komm! (Come!) |
| machen | to do, to make | Mach das! (Do that!) |
| sprechen | to speak | Sprich langsam! (Speak slowly!) |
| lesen | to read | Lies das Buch! (Read the book!) |
| essen | to eat | Iss dein Gemüse! (Eat your vegetables!) |
| helfen | to help | Hilf mir! (Help me!) |
| warten | to wait | Wartet! (Wait! [plural]) |
| sein | to be | Sei ruhig! (Be quiet!) |
| haben | to have | Hab Geduld! (Have patience!) |
Theory & Grammar
Forms of the Imperative in German
German imperative has three main forms depending on the person addressed:
| Person | Form | Example with gehen (to go) |
|---|---|---|
| du (informal singular) | Stem only (remove -st from du form) | Geh! (Go!) |
| ihr (informal plural) | Present tense ihr form | Geht! (Go! [you all]) |
| Sie (formal singular/plural) | Sie form + verb infinitive | Gehen Sie! (Go! [formal]) |
Formation Details
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du imperative:
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Take du form of the verb in present tense, drop the -st ending (if present).
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Examples:
- du gehst → Geh!
- du machst → Mach!
- For verbs with stem changes, the stem change stays: du sprichst → Sprich!
- Verbs ending in -eln or -ern often keep the -e: du lächelst → Lächle!
-
-
ihr imperative:
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Use the ihr form of the verb without the pronoun.
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Example:
- ihr geht → Geht!
- ihr macht → Macht!
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Sie imperative:
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Use the infinitive + Sie.
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Example:
- gehen Sie!
- machen Sie!
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This form is always polite/formal.
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Negative Commands
To negate commands, place “nicht” after the verb:
- Geh nicht! (Don’t go!)
- Macht nicht so viel Lärm! (Don’t make so much noise!)
Usage & Context
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Use du form for close friends, family, or children.
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Use ihr form for groups of people you address informally.
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Use Sie form in formal situations, with strangers, superiors, or to show respect.
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Politeness: To soften commands, add bitte (please) before or after the imperative:
- Komm bitte her! (Please come here!)
- Bitte warten Sie! (Please wait!)
Practical Examples
Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Informal Command (du)
- A: Kannst du mir helfen?
- B: Klar! Komm her!
Dialogue 2: Formal Command (Sie)
- A: Entschuldigen Sie, wo ist die Toilette?
- B: Gehen Sie geradeaus und dann links!
Dialogue 3: Group Command (ihr)
- A: Kinder, hört zu!
- B: Setzt euch bitte!
Paragraph Example
In der Schule sagt der Lehrer oft: „Seid ruhig! Hört zu! Macht eure Hausaufgaben!“ Wenn man etwas nicht versteht, kann man fragen: „Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?“
Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct imperative form of the verb:
- ___ (gehen, du) nach Hause!
- ___ (machen, ihr) das Fenster auf!
- ___ (sprechen, Sie) bitte langsamer!
- ___ (essen, du) dein Gemüse!
- ___ (warten, ihr) hier!
2. Translate into German:
- Please come here! (formal)
- Don’t speak so loudly! (informal plural)
- Help me! (informal singular)
- Be quiet! (informal singular)
- Wait, please! (formal)
3. Change the following sentences into commands (du, ihr, Sie):
- Du musst das Buch lesen.
- Ihr sollt leise sein.
- Sie sollen die Tür schließen.
Flashcards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do you form the imperative for du? | Stem only, drop -st from du form |
| Imperative of gehen for ihr? | Geht! |
| Formal imperative of machen? | Machen Sie! |
| How to negate an imperative? | Add nicht after the verb |
| Polite way to ask someone to wait? | Warten Sie bitte! or Bitte warten! |
Workbook (Printable Summary & Practice)
Key Concepts Summary
- Imperative forms: du (stem), ihr (present), Sie (infinitive + Sie)
- Negative commands use nicht
- Politeness with bitte
- Different forms for singular informal, plural informal, and formal.
Practice Tasks
- Write 5 commands using du form.
- Write 3 group commands using ihr form.
- Write 3 polite commands using Sie form with bitte.
- Translate 5 English commands into German imperative.
Multimedia Resources
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YouTube:
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Podcasts:
- Deutsch lernen mit Podcasts episodes covering commands and requests.
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Websites:
Speaking Help
- Practice giving commands to friends or yourself in front of the mirror.
- Use bitte to soften commands when speaking politely.
- Roleplay real-life situations like ordering food (Bestellen im Restaurant) or giving directions (Wegbeschreibung).
- Record yourself to improve pronunciation and intonation in commands.
Cultural Notes (Optional)
- In German culture, direct commands can sound harsh; it’s common to soften with bitte or use indirect forms (Könnten Sie…).
- Children and close friends expect informal du commands; with strangers, always use Sie.
- In professional or customer service settings, Sie form and polite phrases are the norm.
Review Section
Quiz
- How do you form the imperative for du?
- Which form do you use to address a group informally?
- How do you make an imperative polite?
- Translate: “Don’t run!” (informal singular)
- Give the formal imperative of lesen.
Key Takeaways
- Imperative forms change based on who you address (du, ihr, Sie).
- Use bitte to be polite.
- Negative commands use nicht.
- Practice regularly to sound natural and polite.