German Imperatives

The German imperative is used to give commands, make requests, or offer suggestions. It's like saying "Go!", "Let's go!", or "Please go." in English.

There are three main forms, depending on who you are addressing. The structure is based on the verb's conjugation in the present tense.

The Three Main Imperative Forms

1. The "du" (you, informal singular) Form

This is for commanding one person you're on familiar terms with (a friend, family member).

How to form it:

• Start with the verb stem (the du-form of the present tense, but drop the -st).

• Most verbs do not add a personal ending.

Formula: Verb Stem + (usually nothing)

Examples:

• sagen (to say) -> Du sagst -> Sag! (Say!)

• gehen (to go) -> Du gehst -> Geh! (Go!)

• lesen (to read) -> Du liest -> Lies! (Read!) Note vowel change!

• schlafen (to sleep) -> Du schläfst -> Schlaf! (Sleep!)

Exception: For verbs whose stem ends in -d, -t, -ig, -chn, or for easier pronunciation, an -e is often added.

• arbeiten (to work) -> Arbeite! (Work!)

• entschuldigen (to excuse) -> Entschuldige! (Excuse me!)

• öffnen (to open) -> Öffne! (Open!)

2. The "ihr" (you, informal plural) Form

This is for commanding a group of people you're familiar with.

How to form it:
This is the simplest form. You simply use the standard ihr-form of the verb in the present tense.

Formula: Verb Stem + t

Examples:

• sagen -> Ihr sagt -> Sagt! (Say!)

• gehen -> Ihr geht -> Geht! (Go!)

• lesen -> Ihr lest -> Lest! (Read!)

3. The "Sie" (you, formal) & The "wir" (let's) Form

These two forms are identical in structure and are the most polite/formal.

How to form it:
This is the easiest to remember. You use the verb in its formal Sie-form or the wir-form, but you invert the word order, putting the verb first.

Formula: Verb (in Sie/wir form) + Sie/wir + (rest of sentence)

Examples:

• sagen -> Sagen Sie! (Say! - formal)

• gehen -> Gehen wir! (Let's go!)

• entspannen -> Entspannen wir uns! (Let's relax!)

• kommen -> Kommen Sie herein! (Come in! - formal)

Special Cases & Irregularities

1. Verbs with a Vowel Change (e -> i / ie)

In the "du" form, some verbs change their stem vowel from e to i or ie. This change carries over to the imperative.

• essen (to eat) -> Du isst -> Iss! (Eat!)

• geben (to give) -> Du gibst -> Gib! (Give!)

• lesen (to read) -> Du liest -> Lies! (Read!)

• sehen (to see) -> Du siehst -> Sieh! (See!)

• treten (to step) -> Du trittst -> Tritt! (Step!)

2. The Verb "sein" (to be)

This is the most irregular verb and must be memorized.

• du -> Sei! (Be!)

• ihr -> Seid! (Be!)

• Sie -> Seien Sie! (Be!)

• wir -> Seien wir! (Let's be!)

3. Separable Prefix Verbs

The prefix is separated and goes to the end of the command, just like in a normal sentence.

• aufstehen (to get up) -> Steh auf! (Get up!)

• zumachen (to close) -> Mach zu! (Close it!)

• anfangen (to begin) -> Fang an! (Begin!) Note vowel change!

4. The "let's" form for "wir" with Modal Verbs

Sometimes, "wir wollen + infinitive" is used for a softer suggestion.

• Gehen wir! (Let's go!) - Direct imperative.

• Wollen wir gehen! (Shall we go?) - Softer suggestion.

Making Commands Softer and More Polite

Giving bare commands can sound rude. Germans often soften them, just like in English.

• Add "bitte" (please):

  • Sag mir -> Sag bitte mir. (Tell me, please.)

  • It often comes at the end for a very polite tone: Helfen Sie mir, bitte. (Please help me.)

• Add "mal" (literally "once," implies "just" or "for a moment"):

  • Hör zu -> Hör mal zu! (Listen up! / Just listen!)

  • Komm her -> Komm mal her! (Come here for a second!)

• Use a question form (very common and polite):

  • Kannst du/Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? (Can you/Could you please help me?)

  • Würden Sie bitte hier unterschreiben? (Would you please sign here?)

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