What is the imperative?
The imperative (the command form) is for instructions, requests, advice and suggestions. English has one form for “you”, Italian needs three: tu (one person), noi (“let's …”) and voi (several people).
The forms
noi and voi are the present-tense forms without the pronoun. tu is the present-tense form too for -ere and -ire verbs (tu prendi → Prendi!). Only -are verbs change it from -i to -a, the lui/lei form (tu parli → Parla!).
Imperative of the four verb groups
| Verb | tu | noi | voi |
|---|---|---|---|
| parlare | parla! | parliamo! | parlate! |
| prendere | prendi! | prendiamo! | prendete! |
| partire | parti! | partiamo! | partite! |
| finire | finisci! | finiamo! | finite! |
parlare, prendere, partire, finire
Verbs like finire, capire and preferire keep the -isc- in the tu form, just as in the present: Finisci!
Irregular tu forms
A few very common verbs have their own tu form. For andare, fare, dare and stare, both the short form with an apostrophe and the present-tense form are correct.
Common irregular verbs
| Infinitive | tu |
|---|---|
| essere | sii! |
| avere | abbi! |
| andare | va'! / vai! |
| fare | fa'! / fai! |
| dare | da'! / dai! |
| stare | sta'! / stai! |
| dire | di'! |
Imperative tu
noi and voi stay the present-tense forms for these verbs (andiamo!, fate!, dite!). Only voi of essere and avere is special: siate!, abbiate!.
Sii puntuale!
Be on time!
Abbi pazienza!
Be patient!
Fai attenzione!
Pay attention!
Di' la verità!
Tell the truth!
What do you use it for?
tu and voi: instructions, requests, advice
Chiudi la porta!
Close the door!
Aspetta un momento, per favore!
Wait a moment, please!
Finite i compiti!
Finish your homework! (to several people)
noi: suggestions (“let's …”)
Mangiamo qualcosa!
Let's eat something!
Prendiamo il treno!
Let's take the train!
Andiamo al cinema!
Let's go to the cinema!
