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The imperative mood is used to give orders. Read the examples below.
The imperative is used to give orders, advice, to tell people what to do.
NB: The imperative forms of tu, voi and noi are the same as the present forms, with one
exception: the tu form of verbs ending in -are, which ends in -a.
The polite form of the imperative is used extensively. For instance, you use the polite form
when giving street directions to one person, when you tell a shop assistant what you want,
when you make a request in a restaurant or cafe. Or any other public place or simply in your
interactions with people outside your circle of friends and relatives.
Remember:
This is a list of the most common verbs you are likely to use with the imperative in the Lei
(formal) form.
vada
andare go Vada a destra! Go to the right!
prendere prenda take Prenda la prima a destra! Take the first to the right!
scendere scenda get off Scenda alla prossima fermata! Get off at the next stop!
Keep calm!
stare stia be/stay Stia tranquillo!
Do not worry!
Va’ avanti!
andare va’
Go ahead!
Fa’ pure!
fare fa’
Go ahead, do it!
Sta’ fermo!
stare sta’
Keep still!
Di’ la verità!
dire di’
Tell the truth!
When pronouns are attached at the end of these irregular imperatives, the first letter of the pronoun is
doubled (gli is the exception).
When you tell a person in the familiar (tu) form not to do something, you use non and the
infinitive of the verb.
e.g. Alberto, non fare tanto rumore!
Alberto, don’t make so much noise!
In the polite (Lei) form, you just use non and the imperative form of the verb.
e.g. Non faccia complimenti!
Don’t stand on ceremonies! / Go right ahead!
In the noi and voi forms of the verb, the negative is also formed in the normal way, with non
and the imperative of the verb.
e.g. Non fate gli stupidi!
Don't be stupid!
The imperative of reflexive verbs
When using a reflexive verb the reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of the verb,
except in the polite (Lei) form where it goes before the verb.
Divertitevi, ragazzi!
Have a good time, boys and girls.
divertirsi
Si diverta, Signora, questa sera a teatro.
Have a good time at the theatre this evening, madam.
The imperative with pronouns
We have seen that the following direct and indirect object pronouns normally come before
the conjugated verb and after the infinitive.
mi ti ci vi
lo la li le
gli le ne
Examples:
Lo facciamo o no?
Shall we do it or not?
Voglio vederti.
I want to see you.
Please note:
• In the imperative tu, noi and voi forms these pronouns are always attached to end of the
verb.
e.g. Per favore, prendilo tu!
Please do it!