With the direct and informal imperative, the pronouns (personal and reflexive) always come after the verb, forming a single word with the second person singular, the first and the second plural of the imperative.
- Vedi quel giornale sul tavolo? prendilo!
- See that newspaper on the table? take it!
- Se vedi Annamaria, raccontale tutto!
- If you see Annamaria, tell her everything!
- Per favore, ricordati di fare la spesa!
- Please remember to go shopping!
With the indirect and formal imperative, the pronouns (personal and reflexive) always come before the verb with the third person singular and the third plural.
- Signora, si accomodi!
- Madam, have a seat!
- La facciano entrare, per cortesia.
- Let her in, please.
When the atonic form of pronouns are joined to the forms (di’, fa’, sta’, and va’) the first consonant of the pronouns doubles (except for the indirect pronoun gli):
- Dammi la mano.
- Give me a hand
- Dille tutto quello che pensi.
- Tell her everything you think
- Dimmi quello che sai!
- Tell me what you know!
- Fatti tagliare i capelli.
- Get your hair cut)
- Stammi bene!
- (Take care!)
- Vacci subito!
- Go there now!
- Dagli quello che chiede!
- Give him what he asks for!
In the negative sentences, on the other hand, you can choose whether to combine the pronoun with the imperative or put it before the verb.
- Non invitarli! = Non li invitare!
- (Don’t invite them!)
- Non ditegli nulla! = Non gli dite nulla!
- (Don’t tell him anything)
- Non guardarti allo specchio! = Non ti guardare allo spicchio!
- (Don’t look in the mirror)
- Non parlarne! = Non ne parlare!
- (Don’t talk about it)
- Non metterci il sale! = Non ci mettere il sale!
- (Don’t put salt in it)