ℹ️ Imperativ

Imperativ

The imperative (Imperativ) is used to give commands, make requests, invite, or give instructions.
The imperative is only formed for the persons du (you, informal), ihr (you all), and Sie (formal).

💡 Why is that?
Because you can only give a command to the person in front of you. People you aren't speaking to directly can't be given a command.

✨ 1. The structure of the Imperativ

🔹 1.1. The "du" form (you – informal)

📌 Rule:

Take the verb stem (Verbstamm) by dropping the -st ending of the "du" form.
You don't need "du" in the sentence!

Examples:

Verb	"du" form (normal)	Imperativ (command)
gehen (to go)	du gehst	Geh! (Go!)
schreiben (to write)	du schreibst	Schreib! (Write!)
essen (to eat)	du isst	Iss! (Eat!)
nehmen (to take)	du nimmst	Nimm! (Take!)

🔹 1.2. The "ihr" form (you all – informal)

📌 Rule:

Use the verb conjugated in the "ihr" form, keeping the -t ending.
You don't need "ihr" in the sentence!

Examples:

Verb	"ihr" form (normal)	Imperativ (command)
gehen (to go)	ihr geht	Geht! (Go! - you all)
schreiben (to write)	ihr schreibt	Schreibt! (Write! - you all)
essen (to eat)	ihr esst	Esst! (Eat! - you all)
nehmen (to take)	ihr nehmt	Nehmt! (Take! - you all)

🔹 1.3. The "Sie" form (you – formal/polite)

📌 Rule:

Use the verb conjugated in the "Sie" form.
Add "Sie" after the verb to keep it formal.

Examples:

Verb	"Sie" form (normal)	Imperativ (command)
gehen (to go)	Sie gehen	Gehen Sie! (Go! - polite)
schreiben (to write)	Sie schreiben	Schreiben Sie! (Write! - polite)
essen (to eat)	Sie essen	Essen Sie! (Eat! - polite)
nehmen (to take)	Sie nehmen	Nehmen Sie! (Take! - polite)

💬 2. The Imperativ with "bitte" (polite)

Add "bitte" to show politeness or to soften a request.

Examples:

Komm bitte!
Come here, please!
Warten Sie bitte hier!
Please wait here!
Helft mir bitte!
Please help me! (you all)

⚡ 3. Important notes about the Imperativ

🔸 3.1. Irregular verbs

Some irregular verbs change their stem in the imperative.

Verb	"du" form	"ihr" form	"Sie" form
sein (to be)	Sei ruhig! (Be quiet!)	Seid ruhig! (Be quiet! - you all)	Seien Sie ruhig! (Be quiet! - polite)
haben (to have)	Hab Geduld! (Be patient!)	Habt Geduld! (Be patient! - you all)	Haben Sie Geduld! (Be patient! - polite)
werden (to become)	Werde nicht wütend! (Don't get angry!)	Werdet nicht wütend! (Don't get angry! - you all)	Werden Sie nicht wütend! (Don't get angry! - polite)

🔸 3.2. Negative commands

Add "nicht" or "kein" to negate a command.

Examples:

Geh nicht!
Don't go!
Seid nicht so laut!
Don't be so loud! (you all)
Essen Sie das nicht!
Don't eat that! (polite)

🎯 4. Summary

ℹ️ 💡 The Imperativ

💡 The Imperativ

The Imperativ is used to give commands, requests, or suggestions.
"du" form: take the Verbstamm, drop -st → Geh! Schreib! Iss!
"ihr" form: use the ihr form of the verb, keep the -t → Geht! Schreibt! Esst!
"Sie" form: use the verb as in the Sie form, add "Sie" → Gehen Sie! Schreiben Sie!
Add "bitte" to be polite → Warten Sie bitte!
Negation: add nicht/kein → Geh nicht! Esst das nicht!

ℹ️ Exercise

Practice exercise

Apply what you just learned about the Imperativ with this exercise:

📝 Imperativ - Imperative exercise

Practice forming commands for the du, ihr, and Sie forms.