I. Theory
Like in English, the imperative mood is used to make commands or suggestions. Commands can be either softened or stressed with the use of accompanying words like bitte- which is placed either before the command phrase or directly after the pronoun (when applicable).| Nehmen Sie bitte Platz. Please take your seats. Pass auf! Pay attention! Fangen wir an! Let us begin. |
II. Imperative Formation
A. Du
When addressing someone in the second person informal, the imperative is formed with the verb stem, without the -st du ending. For most verbs, it is optional to add an -e as well. However, for verbs that require an -e when conjugating them with du (arbeiten-arbeitest, antworten-antwortest), the -e is mandatory.| Sei still! Be quiet! Tue* das nicht! Don’t do that! *here, the -e is optional. Beantworte* die Frage! Answer the question! *here, the -e is required. |
With the exception of e-ie and e-i stem-changing verbs (sehen, helfen, etc.), the vowel change is not present in the imperative form:
| Fahr langsam! Drive slowly! Trag einen Mantel! Wear a coat! But: Hilf mir! Help me! Lies das Buch! Read the book! |
B. Ihr
To give a command when addressing the second person informal plural, you simply use the present tense verb form:| Sprecht langsamer! Speak slower! Lauft los! Start walking! Sagt mir es! Tell me! |
C. Sie
Like ihr, Sie also takes its present tense form (the same as the infinitive). Commands with sie often include the pronoun as well.| Bringen Sie den Wein mit! Bring the wine with you! Bitte setzen Sie sich. Please, sit down. Beantworten Sie die Email! Answer the email! |
D. Wir (making suggestions)
To convey a suggestion, the wir form of the verb goes before the pronoun wir.| Holen wir uns einen Drink. Let’s get a drink. Gehen wir ins Restaurant. Let’s go to the restaurant. Reservieren wir einen Tisch. Let’s reserve a table. |
IV. Commands with the infinitive
Signage or general rules often use the infinitive to convey a command or that something is prohibited. This is often also seen in recipes.| Nicht stören! Do not disturb! Nicht anfassen! Do not touch! Das Gemüse gut waschen. Wash the vegetables well. Die Kartoffeln kochen. Cook the potatoes. |