By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Watch irregular verbs
- Usage, exceptions and scope
Simple explanation
The German imperative is used to give commands, make requests, offer advice, or give instructions. Its form changes depending on whether you speak to one person with du, several people with ihr, or someone politely with Sie. This lesson explains the rules and everyday usage.
The verb comes first
In imperative sentences, the verb normally stands at the beginning of the sentence.
Imperative forms for different listeners
Identify the listener: du→Komm!, ihr→Kommt!, Sie→Kommen Sie! Formal Sie stays explicit. The du form usually uses the stem, but du heißt→Heiß!, not blind deletion of st. Learn sein→Sei!/Seid!/Seien Sie!, lesen→Lies!, nehmen→Nimm! Fahren loses the present umlaut: Fahr! Arbeiten normally has e: Arbeite! Bitte can soften the instruction; use nicht or kein according to what is negated.
Watch irregular verbs
Some verbs change their stem vowel in the imperative. Example: lesen → Lies!, nehmen → Nimm!.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Identify the listener: du→Komm!, ihr→Kommt!, Sie→Kommen Sie! Formal Sie stays explicit. The du form usually uses the stem, but du heißt→Heiß!, not blind deletion of st. Learn sein→Sei!/Seid!/Seien Sie!, lesen→Lies!, nehmen→Nimm! Fahren loses the present umlaut: Fahr! Arbeiten normally has e: Arbeite! Bitte can soften the instruction; use nicht or kein according to what is negated.
Patterns at a glance
These are construction models; translated examples follow below. Practice and test use separate question contexts.
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| Usage, exceptions and scope | Anna, komm bitte her! |
| Usage, exceptions and scope | Kinder, kommt bitte her! |
| Usage, exceptions and scope | Kommen Sie bitte herein, Frau Müller! |
| Usage, exceptions and scope | Anna, sei bitte leise! |
| Watch irregular verbs | Anna, lies bitte den Text! |
| Usage, exceptions and scope | Anna, fahr bitte langsam! |
Grammar formula
du
du: meist Verbstamm; Ausnahmen z. B. sein → Sei!, lesen → Lies!Du machst → Mach!
ihr
ihr-Form ohne Pronomen + !Ihr kommt → Kommt!
Sie
Verbform wie Infinitiv + Sie + ! (Ausnahme: Seien Sie!)Sie warten → Warten Sie!
Core rules
- 1
The verb comes first
In imperative sentences, the verb normally stands at the beginning of the sentence.
- 2
Imperative forms for different listeners
Identify the listener: du→Komm!, ihr→Kommt!, Sie→Kommen Sie! Formal Sie stays explicit. The du form usually uses the stem, but du heißt→Heiß!, not blind deletion of st. Learn sein→Sei!/Seid!/Seien Sie!, lesen→Lies!, nehmen→Nimm! Fahren loses the present umlaut: Fahr! Arbeiten normally has e: Arbeite! Bitte can soften the instruction; use nicht or kein according to what is negated.
- 3
Watch irregular verbs
Some verbs change their stem vowel in the imperative. Example: lesen → Lies!, nehmen → Nimm!.
- 4
Usage, exceptions and scope
Identify the listener: du→Komm!, ihr→Kommt!, Sie→Kommen Sie! Formal Sie stays explicit. The du form usually uses the stem, but du heißt→Heiß!, not blind deletion of st. Learn sein→Sei!/Seid!/Seien Sie!, lesen→Lies!, nehmen→Nimm! Fahren loses the present umlaut: Fahr! Arbeiten normally has e: Arbeite! Bitte can soften the instruction; use nicht or kein according to what is negated.
Useful examples
Mach die Tür zu!
Close the door!
The du form loses the ending -st in the imperative.
Komm bitte hierher!
Please come here!
Bitte makes a command sound more polite.
Lies diese Nachricht!
Read this message!
Lesen changes its vowel in the du imperative form.
Wartet einen Moment!
Wait a moment!
The ihr form stays the same without the pronoun.
Öffnen Sie das Fenster!
Open the window!
This is a polite request using Sie.
Sei vorsichtig!
Be careful!
Sein has a special imperative form.
Nimm deinen Regenschirm mit!
Take your umbrella with you!
Nehmen changes to Nimm in the du form.
Sprechen Sie langsamer!
Speak more slowly!
This is used in formal situations.
Steh früh auf!
Get up early!
In this separable imperative, the prefix an goes to the end: Ruf mich an.
Kaufen Sie frisches Brot!
Buy fresh bread!
A polite everyday request with Sie.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Anna, kommt bitte her! ✅ Anna, komm bitte her!
- ❌ Kinder, komm bitte her! ✅ Kinder, kommt bitte her!
- ❌ Komm Sie bitte herein, Frau Müller! ✅ Kommen Sie bitte herein, Frau Müller!
- ❌ Anna, bist bitte leise! ✅ Anna, sei bitte leise!
- ❌ Anna, les bitte den Text! ✅ Anna, lies bitte den Text!
- ❌ Anna, fähr bitte langsam! ✅ Anna, fahr bitte langsam!
Learning tips
- Read the context and word roles before choosing an option.
- After feedback, read the reason and make a new sentence.
- After practising, take the test without the table; test mastery is recorded separately from reading.
Use it in your own sentences
Adapt the names, times or places in the models to write six sentences about your own life. Keep the target construction and check that the meaning fits the rule. This is a self-assessment activity; the multiple-choice test has a separate score.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Anna, komm bitte her! Kinder, kommt bitte her! Kommen Sie bitte herein, Frau Müller! Anna, sei bitte leise! Anna, lies bitte den Text! Anna, fahr bitte langsam!
Check your own work
- I identified the subject, verb and target construction in every sentence.
- I adapted the context instead of only copying the model.
- I checked my choices against this lesson’s rules and exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “The verb comes first”?
In imperative sentences, the verb normally stands at the beginning of the sentence.
What should I check for “Imperative forms for different listeners”?
Identify the listener: du→Komm!, ihr→Kommt!, Sie→Kommen Sie! Formal Sie stays explicit. The du form usually uses the stem, but du heißt→Heiß!, not blind deletion of st. Learn sein→Sei!/Seid!/Seien Sie!, lesen→Lies!, nehmen→Nimm! Fahren loses the present umlaut: Fahr! Arbeiten normally has e: Arbeite! Bitte can soften the instruction; use nicht or kein according to what is negated.
What should I check for “Watch irregular verbs”?
Some verbs change their stem vowel in the imperative. Example: lesen → Lies!, nehmen → Nimm!.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Identify the listener: du→Komm!, ihr→Kommt!, Sie→Kommen Sie! Formal Sie stays explicit. The du form usually uses the stem, but du heißt→Heiß!, not blind deletion of st. Learn sein→Sei!/Seid!/Seien Sie!, lesen→Lies!, nehmen→Nimm! Fahren loses the present umlaut: Fahr! Arbeiten normally has e: Arbeite! Bitte can soften the instruction; use nicht or kein according to what is negated.
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