The Imperative (der Imperativ)dartmouth.edu/~deutsch/Grammatik/Imperative/Imperativ.html

The Imperative Mood in English:

The imperative mood is used to express commands. Normally,the speaker is addressing someone directly, but the actualpronoun "you" is omitted: "Give me the gun!" "Stick it in yourear!" "Go jump in the lake!" "Dice and sauté an onion." Thespeaker may, on the other hand, sometimes use "you" either toindicate impatience with an addressee of lower status ("You stopthat right now!" "You shut up!") or to suggest that the speaker isunable or unwilling to perform the action ("You do it!" "You tryit!").

Sometimes the speaker is proposing something to one or more people and also including him- or herself. This first-person plural form is usually constructed with the verb "to let": "Let us pray." "Let's dance!" "Let's not forget to askhim how to get to his house." Sometimes the proposal uses a modal auxiliary: "We ought to do it now." "We shouldleave soon."

Third-person or other indirect commands are also possible, if less common. These use the special subjunctivevoice: "Long live the king!" "So be it." "May he rot in hell."

The Imperative Mood in German:

German has a different imperative structure for each of its three second-person forms ("Sie", "ihr", "du"), as well asfirst-person plural and third-person commands:

"Sie": The imperative form is normally the same as that of a question, i.e. the finite verb followed by "Sie":

Fragen Sie den Mann da. Ask that man there.

Rufen Sie mich morgen an. Call me tomorrow.

Kommen Sie bitte schnell! Please come quickly.

Geben Sie mir das Buch! Give me the book!

Sehen Sie das mal an! Look at that!

Lassen Sie bitte von sich hören. Let us hear from you.

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In fact, the imperative is formed not from the infinitive, but by adding "-en" (or "-n") to the verb stem. That looks justlike the infinitive, except in the case of "sein" (to be):

Bitte, seien Sie so nett und bringen Sie mirnoch ein Stück Kuchen.

Please be so kind as to bring meanother piece of cake.

Seien Sie mir nicht böse. Don't be mad at me.

"wir": The first-person plural imperative also looks like a question, i.e. the verb followed by "wir" - again, except inthe case of "sein" (to be):

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Gehen wir ins Kino. Let's go to the movies.

Seien wir nicht so laut. Let's not be so loud.

Lassen wir die Leute in Ruhe. Let's leave those people in peace.

Fangen wir an. Let's start.

Kaufen wir etwas anderes. Let's buy something different.

Bringen wir eine Flasche Wein mit. Let's take along a bottle of wine.

It is also possible to use "lassen" for the second-person plural, corresponding in structure to the English "Let's...."Here the command is actually addressed to one or more people, reflected in the form of "lassen":

Lass uns gehen. Let's go.

Lasst uns essen. Let's eat.

Lassen Sie uns morgen schwimmen gehen. Let's go swimming tomorrow.

"ihr": The imperative form of the informal second-person plural ("y'all") does notinclude the pronoun "ihr," but uses the same verb form:

Kommt gut nach Hause! Have a safe trip home.

Esst noch mehr, wir habenviel.

Have some more to eat; wehave lots.

Seid nicht so albern! Don't be so silly!

Gebt mir das Buch! Give me the book.

Bleibt doch eine Weilelänger.

Stay a while longer.

Lasst den Hund in Ruhe! Leave the dog alone!

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"du": The imperative form of the informal second-person singular does not normally include the pronoun "du". In thecase of weak verbs, the form is the stem. Usually you have the option of adding an "-e":

Tu das nicht! Tue das nicht! Don't do that!

Sag es lauter! Sage es lauter! Say it louder!

Hol mich rechtzeitig ab! Hole mich rechtzeitig ab! Pick me up on time!

Hör zu! Höre zu! Listen!

Schreib mir eine E-mail! Schreibe mir eine E-mail! Write me an e-mail!

If the stem ends in -d, -t, -ig, or in -m or -n preceded by certainconsonants (not -l- or -r-), you must add an -e (Note: with theexception of -ig, these are the same verbs that insert an -e- beforeadding the singular endings for "du" or "er/sie/es" [e.g. du findest, siebadet, es regnet]):

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Arbeite nicht so viel! Don't work so much!

Binde dem Kind die Schuhe zu! Tie the kid's shoes!

Atme langsam! Breathe slowly!

Antworte auf die Frage! Answer the question!

Erledige das, so schnell du kannst! Take care of that as quickly as youcan!

Öffne das Fenster, wenn es dir zu warmist.

Open the window if you're too warm.

Certain strong verbs: Strong verbs that do not change the stem vowel at all in the present tense (e.g. "rufen"), or,in the "du"-form, change only by adding an umlaut (e.g. "fahren"), act just like weak verbs:

Fahr nicht so schnell! Fahre nicht so schnell! Don't drive so fast!

Lauf weiter! Laufe weiter! Keep walking!

Schlaf gut! Schlafe gut! Sleep well!

Wasch dichgründlich!

Wasche dich gründlich! Wash yourself thoroughly!

Ruf mich an! Rufe mich an! Call me!

Bleib gesund! Bleibe gesund! Stay healthy!

Lade bitte niemand ein! Please don't inviteanybody!

Brate das Fleisch nicht zulang!

Don't roast the meat toolong!

Other strong verbs: Strong verbs that change the stem vowel to "-i-" or "-ie-" retain that change in the "du"-imperative. Here you may not add an "-e":

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Lies das mal vor! Read that aloud.

Sieh das mal an! Take a look at that!

Vergiss das nicht! Don't forget that!

Hilf mir! Help me!

Gib mir das Geld! Give me the money!

Versprich mir, dass du nicht so viel trinkenwirst.

Promise me that you won't drink somuch.

Iss nicht so schnell! Don't eat so fast!

Triff den Ball! Hit the ball!

Three exceptions: "sein," "wissen," and "werden" do not change:

Sei nicht so blöd! Don't be so stupid!

Wisse, dass niemand dir helfenwird.

(You should) know that no one's going to helpyou.

Werde gut, mein Sohn. Become good, my son.

Using "du" or "ihr": Similar to English, German sometimes adds the pronouns "du" or "ihr" in informal situations.Here the implication is that the speaker can't or won't perform the action:

Mach du es! You do it!

Fahr du mal ohne Bremse! You try driving without brakes!

Versucht ihr mal! You all try it.

In somewhat related fashion, a command can include the subject pronoun "einer," especially when sarcasm isimplied:

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Nun sieh mal einer an! Well, just take a look at that! (What have we gothere?)

Nun höre mal einer dieUnschuld!

My, just listen to the voice of innocence!

er/sie/es: German uses the special subjunctive to create third-person commands, although this form now seemsold-fashioned. It lives on in set phrases and, sometimes, in recipes:

Es lebe der König! Long live the king!

Sie lebe hoch! [Three cheers for her!]

Edel sei der Mensch. Let man be noble.

Man nehme eine PriseSalz.

Take a pinch of salt.

Man lese das gründlich. One should read that thoroughly.

Jeder kehre vor seinerTür.

Everyone should sweep his own doorway [mind his ownbusiness].

Somewhat more common in third-person commands is "mögen" in the special subjunctive:

Möge sie glücklich sein. May she be happy.

Möge dir Gott helfen. May God help you.

Other Forms of the Imperative. German also expresses commands or requests in ways intended to sound lessimperious.

As a third-person statement:

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Wheelchairs [should] please use the other entrance on the west side.

Just as in English, requests can be softened by stating a desire in the general subjunctive. This is common, forexample, when ordering in a restaurant:

Ich hätte gern das große Frühstück. I'd like the large breakfast.

Ich möchte einen Döner ohne Soße. I'd like a Döner without sauce.

A question, with or without the subjunctive, makes the request even gentler:

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Könnten Sie mir bitte auch etwas Brotgeben?

Could you please bring me some bread,as well?

Hätten Sie vielleicht etwas Salz? Would you happen to have some salt?

Frau Chauchat, würden Sie mir bitte IhrenBleistift leihen?

Mrs. Chauchat, would you please lendme your pencil?

Dürfte ich Sie bitten, das Fensteraufzumachen?

Might I ask you to open the window?

Wollen wir ein Taxi nehmen? Shall we take a taxi?

Other modal auxiliaries are often used in place of the imperative:

Du sollst nicht rauchen. You shouldn't smoke.

Sie dürfen das nicht sagen. You aren't allowed to say that.

Sie müssen uns helfen. You have to help us.

Sie müssen das nicht tun. You don't have to do that. [Note the meaning!]

Sie möchten bitte Ihre Frau anrufen. Please call your wife.

Sie können jetzt gehen. You can go now.

Ihr könntet uns mal helfen. You could give us a hand.

As explained in the "Special Meanings" of the section on Modal Auxiliaries, the frequently-used subjective form of"sollen" implies a less strict obligation.

Du solltest diesen Film sehen. You ought to see this film.

General directives and recipes often use the infinitive:

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Please put the cutlery next to the plate.

Spinat gutwaschen undStieleabschneiden.

Wash the spinachwell and cut offthe stems.

Gurken indickere Scheibenschneiden.

Cut thecucumbers intorelatively thickslices.

Nicht anfassen! Don't touch!

Handysausschalten!

Turn off your cellphones!

Nicht stören! Do not disturb.

Einsteigen! All aboard!

Hinsetzen! Be seated!

Zurücktreten! Step back!

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Directions for use Washing, incl. wash powder; Spin, dry each; Press; Gentle rinse; Extra wash powder

1. Select the machine number (green light = free) (red light = in use); 2. Insert the appropriate money 3.Press the lighted button. Remove wash powder; 4. Start the machine

"sein" + "zu". This construction is equivalent to "is/are to" + thepassive voice:

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Don't just dream, book (the trip)!

Dogs are to be kept away from the lawn.

"Bitte" (please) can be found at the beginning, middle, or end of acommand:

Bitte, sagenSie uns, wannwir kommensollen.

Please tell uswhen we'resupposed tocome.

Geben Sie mirden blauenKoffer, bitte.

Give me theblue suitcase,please.

Sagen Sie dasbitte nochmal.

Please saythat again.

The adverb "mal" (from "einmal") makes arequest less formal, as well as less direct:

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Call!

Children's Playground Dogs are to be kept off. Keep things clean. The children's playground and play equipment may be used by

children up to 15 years of age only by agreement with or under the supervision of qualified guardians. Berlin takes no responsibility for damages.

Hör mal auf! Stop that!

Schauen Sie mal'rein.

Take a lookinside.

Kannst du mir malhelfen?

Could yougive me ahand?

Rate mal, wen ichheute gesehenhabe.

Guess whoI sawtoday.

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[On the side of a Berlin city bus] Conveyance only with a valid ticket. After 8 p.m. please enter by the driver at the front and show your ticket.

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