German Imperative Made Simple: Giving Commands (Mach! Kommt! Fahren Sie!)

Want to tell someone in German to "Do this!" or "Come here!"? Then you need the **Imperative** (der Imperativ)! This is the grammatical mood used for giving commands, instructions, requests, or advice, essential for effective spoken German. It might seem a little different from normal sentences, but mastering its logical patterns, as taught in our comprehensive German curriculum, makes it easy. This guide will show you how to form and use the German Imperative easily, reflecting the Sprachlingua method. You can practice this and other grammar points in our versatile online learning environment or through our German language classes in Chennai. To learn more or contact us, explore your options.

What is the German Imperative?

The Imperative is used when you want someone (or a group) to do something. Think of it as the "command form" of a verb. You use different forms depending on **who** you are talking to:

One person you know well (du - informal 'you')
A group of people you know well (ihr - informal plural 'you')
One or more people you don't know well, or in formal situations (Sie - formal 'you')
Sometimes, to suggest doing something together (wir - 'we', like "Let's...")

Understanding the Imperative is crucial for everyday interactions and a key part of any German language course, starting from level A1/A2.

Forming the Imperative - The Different Forms

Let's break down how to make the command form for each type of "you".

1. The `du` Form (Informal Singular "You")

This one has the most changes. Usually:

Take the verb stem (infinitive minus -en).
**Drop the -st ending** you use for the normal present tense `du` form.
Often (but not always), you can add an -e to the end. This is common if the stem ends in -d, -t, -ig, -er, -el, or consonant clusters, but often omitted in speech for simple verbs.
**Important:** Do **NOT** use the pronoun `du` in the command itself!

Examples (Regular Verbs):

machen (to do/make) -> du machst -> Imperative: Mach(e)! (Do/Make!)
kommen (to come) -> du kommst -> Imperative: Komm! (Come!)
fragen (to ask) -> du fragst -> Imperative: Frag(e)! (Ask!)
setzen (to set/place) -> du setzt -> Imperative: Setz! (Set!)
ziehen (to pull/move) -> du ziehst -> Imperative: Zieh! (Pull!)
zeigen (to show) -> du zeigst -> Imperative: Zeig! (Show!)
hören (to hear/listen) -> du hörst -> Imperative: Hör! (Hear/Listen!)
gehen (to go) -> du gehst -> Imperative: Geh! (Go!)
rufen (to call) -> du rufst -> Imperative: Ruf! (Call!)

Examples (Regular Verbs often adding/keeping -e):

arbeiten (to work) -> du arbeitest -> Imperative: Arbeite! (Work!)
öffnen (to open) -> du öffnest -> Imperative: Öffne! (Open!)
kümmern (to care for) -> du kümmerst -> Imperative: Kümmere! (Care for!)

Examples (Irregular Verbs):

sein (to be) -> Imperative: Sei! (Be!) - *Totally irregular!*
haben (to have) -> Imperative: Hab! (Have!) - *Also irregular.*
Verbs with stem vowel change (e -> i/ie):
- lesen (to read) -> du liest -> Imperative: Lies! (Read!)
- geben (to give) -> du gibst -> Imperative: Gib! (Give!)
- nehmen (to take) -> du nimmst -> Imperative: Nimm! (Take!)
- helfen (to help) -> du hilfst -> Imperative: Hilf! (Help!)
- vergessen (to forget) -> du vergisst -> Imperative: Vergiss! (Forget!)
Verbs with stem vowel change (a -> ä): These often **do not** keep the umlaut in the `du` imperative.
- fahren (to drive/go) -> du fährst -> Imperative: Fahr(e)! (Drive/Go!)
- schlafen (to sleep) -> du schläfst -> Imperative: Schlaf(e)! (Sleep!)

2. The `ihr` Form (Informal Plural "You")

This form is usually the easiest!

It's almost always the **same as the normal present tense ihr form**.
Just **drop the pronoun ihr**.

Examples:

machen -> ihr macht -> Imperative: Macht! (Do/Make!)
kommen -> ihr kommt -> Imperative: Kommt! (Come!)
lesen -> ihr lest -> Imperative: Lest! (Read!)
sein -> ihr seid -> Imperative: Seid! (Be!)
öffnen -> ihr öffnet -> Imperative: Öffnet! (Open!)
helfen -> ihr helft -> Imperative: Helft! (Help!)
gehen -> ihr geht -> Imperative: Geht! (Go!)
rufen -> ihr ruft -> Imperative: Ruft! (Call!)
kümmern -> ihr kümmert -> Imperative: Kümmert! (Care for!)

3. The `Sie` Form (Formal "You" - Singular or Plural)

This form is also quite straightforward and polite.

Use the **infinitive** form of the verb.
Add the pronoun Sie after the verb.
The word order looks like a question (Verb first), but it's a command/request.

Examples:

machen -> Imperative: Machen Sie! (Do/Make!)
kommen -> Imperative: Kommen Sie! (Come!)
sprechen (to speak) -> Imperative: Sprechen Sie! (Speak!)
sein -> Imperative: Seien Sie! (Be!) - *Note the slightly irregular infinitive form used here.*
öffnen -> Imperative: Öffnen Sie! (Open!)
helfen -> Imperative: Helfen Sie! (Help!)
gehen -> Imperative: Gehen Sie! (Go!)
rufen -> Imperative: Rufen Sie! (Call!)
kümmern -> Imperative: Kümmern Sie sich! (Care for yourself!) - *Often used reflexively*

4. The `wir` Form ("Let's...")

Used to make suggestions for a group including yourself.

Use the **infinitive** form of the verb.
Add the pronoun wir after the verb.

Examples:

gehen (to go) -> Imperative: Gehen wir! (Let's go!)
anfangen (to start) -> Imperative: Fangen wir an! (Let's start!) - *See separable verbs below!*
essen (to eat) -> Imperative: Essen wir! (Let's eat!)
machen -> Imperative: Machen wir! (Let's do it!)

Important Notes & Tips

Separable Verbs: Remember those `trennbare Verben`? In the imperative, the **prefix still goes to the end**!
- zumachen (to close) -> du: Mach die Tür zu! / ihr: Macht die Tür zu! / Sie: Machen Sie die Tür zu!
- anrufen (to call) -> du: Ruf mich an! / ihr: Ruft mich an! / Sie: Rufen Sie mich an!
- aufmachen (to open up) -> du: Mach das Fenster auf!
- herkommen (to come here) -> du: Komm her!
- mitkommen (to come along) -> du: Komm mit!
- anziehen (to put on clothes) -> du: Zieh deine Jacke an!
- vorzeigen (to show something) -> du: Zeig deinen Ausweis vor!
- zuhören (to listen) -> du: Hör mir zu!
- weitergehen (to continue walking) -> du: Geh weiter!
Reflexive Verbs: The reflexive pronoun comes after the verb (or after `Sie` or `wir`).
- sich setzen (to sit down) -> du: Setz dich! / ihr: Setzt euch! / Sie: Setzen Sie sich!
- sich kümmern (to care for oneself/something) -> du: Kümmere dich! / ihr: Kümmert euch! / Sie: Kümmern Sie sich!
- sich wohlfühlen (to feel well) -> du: Fühl dich wohl!
Politeness (Bitte): Always add bitte (please) to make your commands polite requests, especially with the `Sie` form, but also often with `du` and `ihr`.
- Kommen Sie bitte herein! (Please come in!)
- Gib mir bitte das Buch! (Please give me the book!)
- Öffne bitte das Fenster! (Please open the window!)
- Hilf mir bitte! (Please help me!)
- Sei bitte leise! (Please be quiet!)
No Subject Pronoun for `du`/`ihr`: Remember, the pronouns `du` and `ihr` are *dropped* in the imperative forms. Only `Sie` and `wir` keep their pronouns.

These nuances are often clarified through exercises in quality German training in Chennai or online platforms.

Quick Recap Table: Imperative Forms

Addressing	Pronoun	How to Form	Example (machen)	Example (sein)
Informal Singular	(du)	Verb stem (+/- e), drop pronoun	Mach(e)!	Sei!
Informal Plural	(ihr)	Present tense `ihr` form, drop pronoun	Macht!	Seid!
Formal (Sing/Plur)	Sie	Infinitive + Sie	Machen Sie!	Seien Sie!
Group (incl. speaker)	wir	Infinitive + wir	Machen wir!	Seien wir!

Other examples used above include: Komm!, Frag(e)!, Arbeite!, Hab!, Lies!, Gib!, Nimm!, Fahr(e)!, Schlaf(e)!, Lest!, Sprechen Sie!, Gehen wir!, Fangen wir an!, Essen wir!, Setz!, Öffne!, Hilf!, Zieh!, Zeig!, Hör!, Vergiss!, Geh!, Ruf!, Kümmere!, Setz dich!, Kümmere dich! etc.

FAQs on the German Imperative

1. When do I add the `-e` to the `du` form?

It's often optional for simple verb stems ending in consonants (e.g., Komm! or Komme!, Mach! or Mache!). However, it's usually necessary or preferred if the stem ends in -t, -d, -chn, -ffn, -tm (e.g., Arbeite!, Öffne!) or sometimes -eln/-ern (e.g., Sammle!, Kümmere!). In speech, the `-e` is often dropped unless needed for pronunciation. Don't stress too much about it initially!

2. Are there many irregular verbs in the `du` imperative?

The main ones to learn early are `sein` (Sei!), `haben` (Hab!), and verbs whose present tense `du` form changes vowel (e.g., `lesen -> Lies!`, `geben -> Gib!`, `nehmen -> Nimm!`, `helfen -> Hilf!`, `vergessen -> Vergiss!`). Other irregular verbs often follow the regular imperative pattern (like `fahren -> Fahr(e)!`).

3. How do I make a negative command (Don't do...)?

Just add `nicht`! It usually comes after the verb (and direct object if there is one). Examples: Mach das nicht! (Don't do that!), Sei nicht traurig! (Don't be sad!), Kommen Sie nicht zu spät! (Don't come too late!), Vergiss nicht deine Hausaufgaben! (Don't forget your homework!).

4. Can the `Sie` imperative sound rude?

Without `bitte`, any command can sound abrupt. Adding `bitte` is standard for politeness with the `Sie` form. Example: Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer! (Please speak slower!). This politeness aspect is important in practical language use taught at institutes like a German language institute online.

Continue Your Practice on the LMS

Kindly do section 9.7

LMS Exercise

Conclusion: Start Commanding! (Politely!)

The German Imperative is essential for giving instructions, making requests, and navigating daily situations. While the `du` form has a few irregularities like Sei!, Hilf!, or Vergiss!, the `ihr` and `Sie` forms are quite regular. Remember the core patterns, practice with common verbs like Mach!, Komm!, Öffne!, Geh!, and Ruf!, and always add `bitte` to be polite!

The best way to master the Imperative is through consistent use and practice. Try giving simple instructions (even to yourself!) in German. Engaging in a structured learning environment, like Sprachlingua's online German classes or our courses at the German language institute in Chennai, can provide targeted exercises and feedback. Use the different forms: Fahr! vorsichtig! (Setz dich hin!), Zieh das an!, Zeig es mir!, Hör gut zu!, Gib mir Bitte!, Kümmere dich darum!

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