Imperative
The imperative is used to give commands, orders, or instructions. In German, there are different forms for 'du', 'ihr', and 'Sie'.
The imperative is essential for everyday communication, especially for giving directions or instructions.
This lesson covers how to form and use the imperative in German.
Explanation
For 'du' (informal singular): Use the verb stem, often without ending: 'Lern!' (Learn!), 'Komm!' (Come!). For stem-changing verbs, use the 'du' form: 'Fahr!' (Drive!).
For 'ihr' (informal plural): Use the present tense 'ihr' form: 'Lernt!' (Learn!), 'Kommt!' (Come!).
For 'Sie' (formal): Use the present tense 'Sie' form with 'Sie' after the verb: 'Lernen Sie!' (Learn!), 'Kommen Sie!' (Come!).
For 'wir' (let's): Use the present tense 'wir' form: 'Lernen wir!' (Let's learn!), 'Gehen wir!' (Let's go!).
Imperative Forms
| Person | Formation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| du | Verb stem (often) | Lern! | Learn! |
| ihr | Present tense ihr form | Lernt! | Learn! |
| Sie | Present tense Sie form + Sie | Lernen Sie! | Learn! |
| wir | Present tense wir form | Lernen wir! | Let's learn! |
Examples
Lern Deutsch!
Learn German!
Kommt hierher!
Come here!
Lernen Sie bitte!
Please learn!
Gehen wir!
Let's go!
Fahr vorsichtig!
Drive carefully!
Common Mistakes
Lerne Deutsch!
Lern Deutsch!
For 'du' imperative, use the verb stem without '-e' ending: 'Lern!', not 'Lerne!' (though 'Lerne!' is also acceptable).
Lern Sie!
Lernen Sie!
For 'Sie' imperative, use the full present tense form: 'Lernen Sie!', not 'Lern Sie!'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.