The Imperative Mood in Italian
The Italian imperative (imperativo) is the verb form for commands, requests and invitations. The informal imperative has three forms: tu (Mangia!, “Eat!”), noi (Mangiamo!, “Let’s eat!”) and voi (Mangiate!, “Eat!” to a group). Use it with friends, family, children and people you know well, and switch to the formal Lei form with strangers.
This lesson covers the affirmative informal imperative. Here is where each form fits, with a link to the lesson for the others:
| Form | Example | English | Where to learn it |
| Informal, affirmative (tu, noi, voi) | Mangia! / Mangiamo! / Mangiate! | Eat! / Let’s eat! / Eat! | This page |
| Informal, negative (tu) | Non mangiare! | Do not eat! | Negative imperative |
| Formal (Lei) | Mangi la pasta, signora. | Eat the pasta, madam. | Formal imperative |
| With pronouns | Mangiala! | Eat it! | Imperative with pronouns |
Giving Orders and Instructions in Italian
When we give orders and instructions in English, we use what seems to be the basic form of the verb, but from a linguistic point of view, we are using the imperative form.
This verbal mood is used for giving commands, making requests, or offering suggestions in a direct way. For instance, you might use it to make someone do something or give instructions in a more formal or polite setting.
In Italian, we have a specific conjugation for the imperative mood, but, logically, it cannot be applied to all persons. For example, you can address a friend (tu), an interlocutor you want to have a formal conversation with (lei), a group of people (voi), and a group of people you are part of (noi).
Before we dive into the conjugation and use of the Italian imperative mood, let me explain to you the different types of imperative mood you might encounter.
Different Types of Imperative
When I explain the imperative mood to my students, I like to provide them with an overview because I think it makes it easier to understand when it comes to conjugating the different forms.
As a matter of fact, the Italian imperative mood changes its conjugations depending on the form. Let me show you what I mean.
- Informal imperative: This is the imperative form addressed to the second person singular tu. The Italian informal imperative has two different conjugations, depending on whether the verb is affirmative or negative.
- Formal imperative: This is the imperative form addressed to the formal third person singular lei. The Italian formal imperative has one form only, for both affirmative or negative.
- Imperative with pronouns: Depending on the subject (tu vs lei) and whether it is affirmative or negative, pronouns can be displayed in four different ways. It sounds difficult, but it is very consistent throughout the conjugation.
Here are some examples, so you can see the differences.
Mangia la pasta!
Eat the pasta!
Non mangiare la pasta!
Do not eat the pasta!
Mangi la pasta, signora.
Eat the pasta, madam.
Non mangi la pasta, signora.
Do not eat pasta, madam.
Mangiala!
Eat it!
La mangi, signora!
Eat it, madam!
Non mangiarla! / Non la mangiare!
Do not eat it!
Non la mangi, signora.
Do not eat it, madam.
In this article, I will focus on the affirmative informal imperative in Italian.
When to Use the Affirmative Informal Imperative in Italian
We saw that, in general, the imperative mood is used to give commands, orders, or instructions, and it only exists in the present tense.
Specifically, the affirmative informal imperative in Italian is used to give positive commands, orders, and instructions to a second person singular/plural interlocutor, that is, a person or group of people we are familiar with.
Fiocco, vieni qui!
Fiocco, come here!
Aprite il libro e cominciate a leggere.
Open the book and start reading.
Informal Affirmative Imperative Mood: Conjugation
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs are quite consistent when conjugated in the informal affirmative form: for verbs ending in –ARE, noi and voi are conjugated as the indicative present tense, while tu has its specific form. For verbs ending in –ERE and –IRE, the conjugation is the same as the present tense for all three pronoun tu , noi, and voi.
| Infinitive | Translation | Tu | Noi | Voi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangiare | to eat | mangia | mangiamo | mangiate |
| Correre | to run | corri | corriamo | correte |
| Aprire | to open | apri | apriamo | aprite |
Verbs in -ire with -isc-
Many verbs in -ire add -isc- in the present tense, and this is true for the tu form of the imperative too. The noi and voi forms do not have -isc-.
| Infinitive | Translation | Tu | Noi | Voi |
| Finire | to finish | finisci | finiamo | finite |
| Pulire | to clean | pulisci | puliamo | pulite |
| Capire | to understand | capisci | capiamo | capite |
Finisci i compiti prima di uscire!
Finish your homework before going out!
Pulite la cucina, per favore.
Clean the kitchen, please.
Irregular verbs
As you were probably expecting, 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.
| Infinitive | Translation | Tu | Noi | Voi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essere | to be | Sii | Siamo | Siate |
| Avere | to have | Abbi | Abbiamo | Abbiate |
| Sapere | to know | Sappi | Sappiamo | Sappiate |
| Dare | to give | Da’ / Dai | Diamo | Date |
| Fare | to do/make | Fa’ / Fai | Facciamo | Fate |
| Stare | to stay | Sta’ / Stai | Stiamo | State |
| Andare | to go | Va’ / Vai | Andiamo | Andate |
| Dire | to say | Di’ | Diciamo | Dite |
The Noi Form: Let’s…
The noi imperative is an invitation to do something together, so it translates as “let’s”. It has the same form as the present tense of noi, and only the context tells them apart.
Andiamo al mare!
Let’s go to the seaside!
Facciamo una pausa.
Let’s take a break.
Mangiamo insieme stasera!
Let’s eat together tonight!
Everyday Commands You Will Hear
| Italian | English |
| Ascolta! | Listen! |
| Guarda! | Look! |
| Aspetta! | Wait! |
| Vieni qui! | Come here! |
| Dai! | Come on! |
| Scusa! | Sorry! / Excuse me! |
| Fai attenzione! | Be careful! |
| Stai zitto! | Be quiet! |
| Sbrigati! | Hurry up! |
| Siediti! | Sit down! |
With verbs like sbrigarsi and sedersi, the pronoun attaches to the end of the imperative (sbrigati, siediti). I explain that in my guide to the imperative with pronouns.
Examples of the Informal Italian Imperative Mood
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!
Don’t be too Bossy!
Mastering the informal imperative in Italian is essential to communicate effectively and directly. By understanding how to correctly conjugate and use these verbs, you can engage more naturally and persuasively in Italian.
However, if you want to speak Italian like real Italian native speakers, be aware that we rarely speak in a bossy way. Always make sure you are kind, and use polite words like per favore (please) when using the imperative.
Softer Ways to Ask
Italians often soften a request by using the present tense with a question, or puoi + infinitive, instead of the bare imperative. Compare these four ways to ask for the salt:
Passami il sale.
Pass me the salt.
Mi passi il sale, per favore?
Could you pass me the salt, please?
Puoi passarmi il sale?
Can you pass me the salt?
Mi daresti una mano?
Would you give me a hand?
Learn how to give negative orders in Italian.
