L'Imperativo (Imperative)
The imperative mood (L'Imperativo) is used to give commands, orders, advice, or instructions in Italian. It has specific forms depending on whether you are talking formally or informally, and it's essential for conversational fluency.
💡 Explain Like I'm 5
The imperative is the 'bossy' form. You use it when you want to give a direct command, order, or instruction, like 'Eat!', 'Go!', or 'Listen!'.
When to Use It
Direct Commands: Mangia la mela! (Eat the apple!)
Advice or Suggestions: Prendi l'ombrello, piove. (Take the umbrella, it's raining.)
Instructions: Giri a destra. (Turn right. - Formal)
Exhortations: Andiamo! (Let's go!)
Regular Verbs (Informal)
For informal commands (tu, noi, voi), the imperative forms are very similar to the present tense.
| Pronoun | -are (parlare) | -ere (leggere) | -ire (dormire) |
|---|---|---|---|
| tu | parla! | leggi! | dormi! |
| noi (let's...) | parliamo! | leggiamo! | dormiamo! |
| voi (plural) | parlate! | leggete! | dormite! |
⚠️ Notice that for -are verbs, the 'tu' form ends in -a (parla!), unlike the normal present tense which ends in -i (parli).
Formal Commands (Lei / Loro)
When speaking formally to someone you don't know well, you must use the subjunctive forms (congiuntivo) for the imperative. Currently, this swaps the final vowel.
-are verbs -> end in -i: Signora, parli più lentamente. (Speak more slowly.)
-ere / -ire verbs -> end in -a: Dottore, legga questo. (Read this.)
The Negative Imperative
Giving negative commands (Don't do it!) is uniquely simple for the 'tu' form, but normal for others.
Tu: use
non+ Infinitive! -> Non parlare! (Don't speak!)Noi / Voi / Lei: use
non+ normal imperative form. -> Non parlate! (Don't speak, you all!)
Common Irregular Verbs (Tu form)
Some of the most common verbs have clipped or irregular forms for the 'tu' imperative.
| Infinitive | Tu Command | Example |
|---|---|---|
| andare | vai / va' | Va' via! (Go away!) |
| dare | dai / da' | Dammi! (Give me!) |
| dire | di' | Di' la verità! (Tell the truth!) |
| fare | fai / fa' | Fa' attenzione! (Pay attention!) |
| stare | stai / sta' | Sta' zitto! (Be quiet!) |
| avere | abbi | Abbi pazienza! (Have patience!) |
| essere | sii | Sii felice! (Be happy!) |
Tips for Learning
For -are verbs, 'tu' commands end in -a. (Scusa = Excuse me). For -ere/-ire verbs, they end in -i. (Scusi = Excuse me (formal)).
Negative 'tu' is extremely common and easy: just use 'non' + the infinitive verb.
With positive 'tu', 'noi', and 'voi' commands, pronoun objects attach to the end of the verb (Mangialo = Eat it!).
With formal 'Lei' commands, pronouns stay in front of the verb (Lo mangi = Eat it!).