Explanation
What is the Imperative?
The Imperative (Imperativ) is used in German to give commands, make requests, offer advice, or provide instructions. In German, we distinguish between three main forms depending on who you are speaking to: du (informal singular), ihr (informal plural), and Sie (formal singular and plural).
Forming the 'du' Form
To form the informal singular (du), take the conjugated form of the verb and remove both the ending -st and the personal pronoun du. For example, from 'du backst', the imperative is 'Back!'. Verbs ending in -d, -t, or multiple consonants (like 'zeichnen') usually add an -e for easier pronunciation (e.g., 'Zeichne!'). Importantly, if a verb has an umlaut change from 'a' to 'ä' in the present tense (like 'fahren'), it loses the umlaut in the imperative ('Fahr!').
Forming 'ihr' and 'Sie' Forms
The informal plural (ihr) is very simple: it is identical to the normal 'ihr' conjugation but without the pronoun. For instance, 'ihr füllt' becomes 'Füllt!'. The formal form (Sie) uses the infinitive followed by the word 'Sie'. For example, 'Füllen Sie!'. This is the only imperative form where the pronoun must be included.
Separable Verbs and Reflexive Verbs
If you use a separable verb like 'hinausgehen', the prefix moves to the very end of the sentence: 'Gehen Sie hinaus!'. For reflexive verbs like 'sich hinsetzen', the reflexive pronoun stays close to the verb: 'Setz dich hin!' or 'Setzen Sie sich hin!'.
Reference Tables
| Infinitive | du (informal) | ihr (plural) | Sie (formal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| füllen | Füll(e)! | Füllt! | Füllen Sie! |
| backen | Back! | Backt! | Backen Sie! |
| ausrechnen | Rechne aus! | Rechnet aus! | Rechnen Sie aus! |
| sein (irregular) | Sei! | Seid! | Seien Sie! |
Examples
Füll bitte das Glas mit Wasser.
Please fill the glass with water.
Backt am Wochenende einen leckeren Kuchen!
Bake a delicious cake at the weekend!
Gehen Sie bitte jetzt hinaus.
Please go out now.
Setz dich auf den Stuhl hin!
Sit down on the chair!
Rechne das Ergebnis bitte schnell aus.
Please calculate the result quickly.
Common Mistakes
In the informal 'du' imperative, you must drop the pronoun 'du'.
Verbs that change 'a' to 'ä' in the present tense lose the umlaut in the imperative.
The formal 'Sie' form always uses the infinitive (ending in -en), not the -t ending.