A2 Italian GrammarImperative (Commands)
Give commands and instructions in Italian using the imperative mood (imperativo). Learn both informal (tu, voi) and formal (Lei) forms, as well as negative commands and polite requests.
1Informal Commands (Tu Form)
The informal imperative (tu) is used with friends, family, and children. For -are verbs, it looks like the present tense. For -ere/-ire verbs, it's the same as the tu form. Note that some common verbs have irregular forms.
Regular Tu Imperative
| Infinitive | Tu Imperative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| parlare | parla! | Parla più forte! |
| scrivere | scrivi! | Scrivi il tuo nome! |
| dormire | dormi! | Dormi bene! |
| finire | finisci! | Finisci i compiti! |
Examples
Ascolta questa canzone!
Listen to this song!
-are verb, same as present
Prendi l'ombrello!
Take the umbrella!
-ere verb, same as present tu
Apri la porta, per favore.
Open the door, please.
-ire verb, polite request
Finisci di mangiare!
Finish eating!
-isco verb keeps the -isc-
2Irregular Imperatives
Common verbs have irregular tu imperative forms that must be memorized. These include essere, avere, andare, fare, stare, dire, dare. The irregular forms are often shortened versions.
Irregular Tu Forms
| Infinitive | Tu Imperative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| essere | sii! | be! |
| avere | abbi! | have! |
| andare | va' / vai! | go! |
| fare | fa' / fai! | do/make! |
| stare | sta' / stai! | stay/be! |
| dire | di'! | say/tell! |
| dare | da' / dai! | give! |
Examples
Sii gentile con tua sorella!
Be kind to your sister!
sii - irregular essere
Vai a casa subito!
Go home right now!
vai/va' - andare
Dimmi la verità !
Tell me the truth!
di' + pronoun = dimmi
Fa' attenzione!
Pay attention!
fa' - short form of fare
3Formal Commands (Lei Form)
The formal imperative (Lei) is used with strangers, elders, and in professional settings. It uses the present subjunctive forms. For -are verbs, the ending changes to -i. For -ere/-ire, it changes to -a.
Formal Lei Imperative
| Infinitive | Tu | Lei |
|---|---|---|
| parlare | parla! | parli! |
| prendere | prendi! | prenda! |
| sentire | senti! | senta! |
| finire | finisci! | finisca! |
Examples
Scusi, mi dica.
Excuse me, tell me.
formal - to a stranger
Prego, si sieda.
Please, have a seat.
si sieda - formal 'sit down'
Aspetti un momento, per favore.
Wait a moment, please.
aspetti - formal aspettare
Entri pure!
Please come in!
pure adds politeness
4Negative Commands
Negative commands work differently for tu and Lei. For tu, use non + infinitive (NOT the imperative). For Lei, simply add non before the formal imperative. This distinction is crucial.
Negative Imperative
| Form | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| tu | Parla! | Non parlare! |
| tu | Vai! | Non andare! |
| Lei | Parli! | Non parli! |
| Lei | Vada! | Non vada! |
Examples
Non toccare!
Don't touch!
non + infinitive for tu
Non preoccuparti!
Don't worry!
reflexive - pronoun attached
Non si preoccupi.
Don't worry (formal).
Lei - non + subjunctive
Non fare rumore!
Don't make noise!
non + infinitive fare