Giving orders in Italian: the imperative form
In English, when we give an order or we tell someone to do something, we simply use what seems to be the basic form of the verb.
From a grammatical point of view, though, we are using an imperative form. This form is used to give orders, commands, and instructions in Italian.
Apri la finestra!
Open the window!
Mangia la pasta!
Eat the pasta!
Unlike in English and other languages, in Italian, the imperative conjugation of verbs is not always the same as the simple present.
The imperative: When to use
Before looking at the conjugation, though, let’s understand when we use this form in Italian.
The imperative can be used to give commands, orders, or instructions and it can be used with the pronouns tu, voi, noi, and lei (formal you).
It only exists in the present tense.
- Command:
Fiocco, vieni qui!
Fiocco, come here!
- Instruction:
Aprite il libro e cominciate a leggere.
Open the book and start reading.
The imperative: Conjugations
For the pronouns tu and voi, the conjugation is the same as the present tense for the verbs ending in –ERE and –IRE.
For verbs in –ARE, the conjugation for voi is the same as the present, while it changes for tu.
In this case, we use the root of the verb + A.
| Verb | TU | VOI |
| APRIRE | apri | aprite |
| CORRERE | corri | correte |
| MANGIARE | mangia | mangiate |
On the other hand, to form an imperative for the pronouns noi and lei (formal you) we will use the congiuntivo presente (present subjunctive).
The imperative: Irregular verbs
As you were probably expecting, the irregular verbs have an irregular conjugation of the imperative!
Have a look at the table below to learn the imperative form of some of the most commonly used Italian verbs.
| Verb | TU | VOI |
| ESSERE | Sii | Siate |
| AVERE | Abbi | Abbiate |
| SAPERE | Sappi | Sappiate |
| DARE | Da’ / Dai | Date |
| FARE | Fa’ / Fai | Fate |
| STARE | Sta’ / Stai | State |
| ANDARE | Va’ / Vai | Andate |
| DIRE | Di’ | Dite |
The imperative: Examples
Here are some more examples of how to use the imperative form in Italian.
Prendi il treno per andare a scuola, l’autobus è molto lento!
Take the train to go to school, the bus is very slow!
Per favore, andate via, voglio stare solo.
Please, go away, I want to be alone.
Sappi che non ti ho mai detto bugie.
Know that I never told you lies.
Abbiate il coraggio di ammetterlo!
Have the courage to admit it!
Practice with Quizlet
Here's a set of flashcards and quizzes to practice this grammar topic.How to give orders in Italian? The imperative form
The imperative of a verb can be used to give commands, orders, or instructions.
In contrast to English and other languages, the imperative conjugation of verbs in Italian is not necessarily the same as the simple present.
It can be used with the pronouns tu, voi, noi, and lei (formal you).
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One Response
How does the level of politeness in Italian imperatives differ between the informal and formal forms?