The imperative is the way used to express an order, a command, a suggestion,a question, an invitation, a prayer, a prohibition, an exhortation, etc., addressed directly to the interlocutor.
- Vieni qui subito!
- Come here immediately!
- Innaffia i fiori, per favore!
- Water the flowers, please!
- Lasciami in pace, ti prego!
- Leave me alone, please!
- Abbiate pazienza!
- Be patient!
- Non correte!
- Do not run!
The imperative is used only in main clauses, it only has a simple tense, the present. As a rule, the subject is not expressed.
- Sdraiati a terra, respira profondamente.
- Lie on the ground, breathe deeply.
- Fate un elenco delle migliori qualità che avete.
- Make a list of the best qualities you have.
The first-person singular (io) is missing (since it is impossible to give oneself orders). However, one can address oneself using the second person singular (lui/lei) or the first plural (noi):
- Forza, non scoraggiarti!
- Come on, don’t be discouraged!
- Facciamoci coraggio!
- Let’s be courageous!
1. The form of the imperative mood.
The imperative can be used in the friendly form (informal) or in the polite form (formal). The forms of the informal imperative are the same as those of the direct imperative and the forms of the formal imperative are the same as the indirect imperative.
The imperative is formed by changing the ending of the verb in the infinitive like this:
| Imperative | Personal pronouns | -are | -ere | -ire |
| (Direct) (Informal) (Singular) | Tu (You) | -a | -i | -i -isci |
| (Indirect) (Formal) (Singular) | Lei (You/I) | -i | -a | -a -isca |
| (Direct) (Informal) | Noi (We/I) | -iamo | -iamo | -iamo |
| (Both) (Plural) | Voi (You) | -ate | -ete | -ite |
| (Indirect) (Formal) (Plural) | Loro (You) | -ino | -ano | -ano -iscano |
The second person singular (tu) of the verbs in -ere and -ire is identical to that of the present indicative:
| person | -ere | -ire |
| tu | Leggi! Rispondi! | Parti! Finisci! |
The first (noi) and second (voi) person plural are the same as the present indicative:
| verb | noi | voi |
| fare guardare leggere finire | facciamo! guardiamo! leggiamo! finiamo! | fate! guardate! leggete! finite! |
For the third person singular (lui/lei) and plural (loro) the present subjunctive is used with all verbs even with irregular ones, which is intended to express exhortation, invitation, rather than command. The tone of voice, however, is what decides between invitation and command.
| verb | lui/lei | loro |
| studiare leggere partire | studi! legga! parta! | studino! leggano! partano! |
- Signorina, entri, si sieda pure lì!
- Miss, come in, sit down there!
- Signora, mi dia per favore due di quei moduli!
- Ma’am, please give me two of those forms!
- Si accomodino, Signori, il pranzo è servito!
- Please take a seat, gentlemen, lunch is served!
- Mi seguano, Signori: da questa parte!
- Follow me, Gentlemen: this way!