The Imperativ gives commands, instructions and requests. The du-form usually drops the ending (mach!, geh!); strong e→i/ie verbs keep the vowel change (nimm!, lies!). The ihr-form equals the present (macht!), and the polite Sie-form inverts verb and pronoun (machen Sie!).
When to use it
Direct command (du)
Mach die Tür zu!
Close the door!
Polite request (Sie)
Nehmen Sie bitte Platz.
Please take a seat.
Regular endings
| schwach | stark | |
|---|---|---|
| ich | — | — |
| du | Stamm | Stamm (e→i) |
| er/sie/es | — | — |
| wir | Inf. + wir | Inf. + wir |
| ihr | Stamm + -t | Stamm + -t |
| sie/Sie | Inf. + Sie | Inf. + Sie |
Irregular verbs
Frequently asked
The Imperativ gives commands, instructions and requests. The du-form usually drops the ending (mach!, geh!); strong e→i/ie verbs keep the vowel change (nimm!, lies!). The ihr-form equals the present (macht!), and the polite Sie-form inverts verb and pronoun (machen Sie!). The main cases are direct command (du) and polite request (sie). For example: Mach die Tür zu! — Close the door!.
Regular verbs take: schwach: du Stamm, wir Inf. + wir, ihr Stamm + -t, sie/Sie Inf. + Sie; stark: du Stamm (e→i), wir Inf. + wir, ihr Stamm + -t, sie/Sie Inf. + Sie.
The most common ones are sein, haben, werden, gehen, kommen, sehen, geben and nehmen. Each has its own conjugation table with the full set of forms.
The Imperativ sits at A2 — Elementary, and Verboteca practice is free at A1. The rule, the tables and the examples on this page stay readable without a subscription or an account.
Every verb form becomes a card that comes back right before you would forget it.
