The imperative is used to express commands, instructions, requests, suggestions and warnings.

 

An exclamation mark may be used after a command.

 

Each German verb has different imperative forms:

• one for formal singular or formal plural (used when addressing someone or several people to whom you would say "Sie")

• one for informal singular (used when addressing someone to whom you would say "du")

• one for informal plural (used when addressing two or more people to whom you would say "ihr")

• one for the first person plural: Let's ....

 

 

Formation of the formal imperative: infinitive of the verb + "Sie", e.g.

Trinken Sie! (Drink!)

Essen Sie! (Eat!)

 

Essen Sie weniger Schokolade! (Eat less chocolate!)

 

Lesen Sie! (Read!)

 

Lesen Sie die Texte! (Read the texts!)

 

Note I: The imperative of the verb "sein" (to be) is irregular, e.g.

Seien Sie pünktlich! (Be punctual!)

 

Note II: "bitte" (please) makes a command more polite, e.g.

Gehen Sie bitte! (Please go!)

Buchstabieren Sie bitte das Wort! (Please spell the word!)

Arbeiten Sie bitte schneller! (Please work more quickly!)

 

 in A1 Higher, you will learn how to form the informal imperative.