Introduction to the Imperative Mood

Every language needs a way to tell people what to do — and German does it with precision. The imperative mood is the grammar of action: it is how you give instructions, make requests, issue warnings, offer encouragement, and ask for help. What makes German interesting is that it does not have a single imperative form the way English does. Instead, it has three distinct forms, one for each way you might address someone: du for one person you know well, ihr for a group of people you know well, and Sie for anyone you address formally. Each form has its own rules, and each carries its own social meaning. A doctor giving a patient instructions, a friend calling you over, a sign at a train station, a coach urging a team — all of these use the imperative, but not necessarily the same one. Learning to use all three correctly, and learning when to soften a command into a polite request, will immediately make your German more natural and socially confident.

Why the Imperative Mood Matters

Everyday communication: From Komm mal kurz! (Come here a second!) to Bitte nehmen Sie Platz (Please take a seat), the imperative comes up in virtually every real-life conversation.
Social register: Choosing between du and Sie is not just grammar — it signals respect, familiarity, and social distance. Getting it right matters as much as the words themselves.
Practical contexts: Recipes, instruction manuals, road signs, classroom instructions, medical advice — all rely on the imperative. Reading and understanding German in the real world requires knowing these forms.
Foundation for politeness strategies: Once you understand the direct imperative, you can learn to soften it using bitte, modal verbs, and the Konjunktiv II — the next level of natural German.

Understanding the Imperative Mood

The imperative exists only in the present tense and is always directed at the listener. The three forms correspond to the three ways German speakers address other people. In the du and ihr forms, the subject pronoun is dropped entirely. In the Sie form, it is kept — and it always comes immediately after the verb.

The du imperative — informal singular

This is the most varied form and the one with the most exceptions. The starting point is always the present tense du form: remove the pronoun and drop the -st ending. Then apply any necessary adjustments based on the verb type.

Verb type	Rule	Example
Regular verb	Drop -st, keep the stem	lernen → du lernst → Lern!
Stem ending in -t, -d, -ffn, -gn or consonant cluster	Add -e for easier pronunciation	arbeiten → Arbeite! / öffnen → Öffne!
Vowel change a → ä in present tense	Drop the umlaut — revert to the infinitive stem	fahren → du fährst → Fahr! (not Fähr!)
Vowel change e → i or e → ie in present tense	Keep the vowel change	helfen → du hilfst → Hilf! / sehen → du siehst → Sieh!
Irregular: sein	Irregular imperative form	Sei! — e.g. Sei ruhig! (Be quiet!)
Irregular: haben	Drop -st, optional -e; use without umlaut	Hab Geduld! (Have patience!)
Irregular: wissen	Literary form; rare in modern speech	Wisse! — almost never used in conversation

The ihr imperative — informal plural

This is the simplest of the three forms. Take the present tense ihr conjugation and drop the pronoun. No additional changes are needed — not even for verbs that change their stem vowel in the du form.

Infinitive	Present tense ihr	Imperative	English
lernen	ihr lernt	Lernt!	Learn!
arbeiten	ihr arbeitet	Arbeitet!	Work!
fahren	ihr fahrt	Fahrt!	Drive!
helfen	ihr helft	Helft!	Help!
sein	ihr seid	Seid!	Be!

The Sie imperative — formal singular and plural

The formal imperative applies to both one person and multiple people addressed formally. It is formed simply: use the infinitive of the verb, followed immediately by Sie. The pronoun is never dropped and always comes directly after the verb.

Infinitive	Imperative	English
lernen	Lernen Sie!	Learn!
arbeiten	Arbeiten Sie!	Work!
fahren	Fahren Sie!	Drive!
helfen	Helfen Sie!	Help!
sein	Seien Sie!	Be!

Separable prefix verbs in the imperative

When a separable verb is used in the imperative, the prefix detaches from the verb stem and moves to the very end of the sentence — exactly as it does in ordinary present tense sentences. The verb stem follows the same rules as for non-separable verbs.

Infinitive	du imperative	ihr imperative	Sie imperative
aufstehen	Steh auf!	Steht auf!	Stehen Sie auf!
zumachen	Mach zu!	Macht zu!	Machen Sie zu!
mitkommen	Komm mit!	Kommt mit!	Kommen Sie mit!
aufräumen	Räum auf!	Räumt auf!	Räumen Sie auf!
anrufen	Ruf an!	Ruft an!	Rufen Sie an!

Reflexive verbs in the imperative

When the verb is reflexive, the reflexive pronoun stays in the sentence. It follows the verb directly in the du and ihr forms, and follows Sie in the formal form.

Form	Imperative	English
du	Setz dich!	Sit down!
ihr	Setzt euch!	Sit down! (plural)
Sie	Setzen Sie sich!	Sit down! (formal)
du	Beeil dich!	Hurry up!
ihr	Beeilt euch!	Hurry up! (plural)
Sie	Beeilen Sie sich!	Hurry up! (formal)

The negative imperative

To turn a command into a prohibition, add nicht after the verb, or use kein before a noun. The structure is otherwise identical to the positive imperative.

Positive	Negative	English
Ruf an!	Ruf nicht an!	Don't call!
Mach Lärm!	Mach keinen Lärm!	Don't make noise!
Kommen Sie zu spät!	Kommen Sie nicht zu spät!	Don't come too late!

The imperative with lassen

Lassen (to let) is one of the most useful verbs in the imperative. It allows the speaker to suggest an action that involves themselves or others, making it ideal for polite offers and collaborative suggestions.

Lass mich helfen! — Let me help!
Lass uns gehen! — Let's go!
Lassen Sie mich erklären. — Let me explain. (formal)
Lass es sein! — Leave it! / Let it be!

Softening the imperative — politeness strategies

A direct imperative can sound abrupt if the context calls for warmth or deference. German speakers have several reliable ways to soften a command into a request without changing the fundamental meaning.

Strategy	Example	Effect
Add bitte	Kommen Sie bitte herein.	Polite, universally acceptable
Use Konjunktiv II with modal	Könnten Sie mir helfen?	Very polite, standard in formal contexts
Rephrase as a question	Kannst du das kurz machen?	Friendly, casual
Use infinitive only	Bitte nicht rauchen.	Neutral, impersonal — used on signs
Use lassen for suggestions	Lass uns das besprechen.	Collaborative, informal

Step-by-Step Guide to Forming the Imperative

Identify who you are addressing: One person you know informally (du), a group you know informally (ihr), or anyone you address formally — one person or many — (Sie)?
Take the correct present tense form: For du, start from du form and strip -st. For ihr, use the ihr form as-is. For Sie, use the infinitive.
Apply stem vowel rules for du: If the verb has an a → ä change in present tense, drop the umlaut. If it has an e → i/ie change, keep it.
Add -e if needed: For du imperatives of verbs whose stem ends in -t, -d, -ffn, or consonant clusters, add -e to make pronunciation natural.
Handle separable verbs: Send the prefix to the end of the sentence.
Keep reflexive pronouns: dich for du, euch for ihr, sich for Sie — always directly after the verb or after Sie.
Add politeness markers as needed: Place bitte after the verb or at the end of the sentence. In very formal situations, consider rephrasing with a Konjunktiv II modal question.

Pro Tip: When you are unsure whether to use du or Sie, always default to Sie — it is never offensive, and native speakers will happily invite you to switch to du if appropriate. In written instructions and public signs, the infinitive-only form (Bitte anschnallen) is always safe because it addresses no one in particular.

Memory Pattern: Think of the three imperatives as three levels of effort — du requires the most adjustment (stem changes, optional -e, irregulars), ihr requires none (just drop the pronoun), and Sie requires the least thought of all (infinitive + Sie, done). The harder the relationship to define, the simpler the grammar.

Key Examples

German	English	Note
Hör zu!	Listen!	Regular du imperative — -st dropped, no -e needed
Arbeite härter!	Work harder!	arbeiten ends in -t so -e is added
Fahr vorsichtig!	Drive carefully!	fahren drops the umlaut — never Fähr!
Sieh mal!	Look!	sehen keeps the e → ie vowel change
Sei ruhig!	Be quiet!	Irregular — sein → Sei!
Hab Geduld!	Have patience!	Irregular — haben → Hab!
Lernt die Vokabeln!	Learn the vocabulary!	ihr imperative — no changes at all
Kommen Sie bitte herein!	Please come in!	Formal imperative with bitte
Steh auf!	Get up!	Separable verb — prefix moves to the end
Setz dich!	Sit down!	Reflexive — dich stays immediately after the verb
Lass uns gehen!	Let's go!	Suggestion using lassen
Bitte nicht stören.	Please do not disturb.	Infinitive imperative — neutral, typical on signs

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Arbeit!
- Fix: arbeiten has a stem ending in -t, so the du imperative needs the supporting -e. Without it the pronunciation is awkward and the form is incorrect. Correct: Arbeite!
Mistake 2: Fähr schnell!
- Fix: When the verb has an a → ä vowel change in the present tense, the imperative reverts to the infinitive stem — the umlaut disappears. Correct: Fahr schnell!
Mistake 3: Aufsteh!
- Fix: Separable prefixes always detach and go to the end of the sentence. The verb stem stays in first position. Correct: Steh auf!
Mistake 4: Setzt sich!
- Fix: Reflexive verbs need the correct reflexive pronoun for each form. For ihr, the pronoun is euch, not sich. Correct: Setzt euch! For Sie: Setzen Sie sich!
Mistake 5: Komm! (said to a stranger or new acquaintance)
- Fix: Using the du imperative with someone you address formally is considered very rude in German. Always use the formal imperative with strangers, colleagues you do not know well, or older people. Correct: Kommen Sie! or Kommen Sie bitte!
Nuance 1: The Sie imperative looks identical to a yes/no question — Kommen Sie? and Kommen Sie! use the same words.
- Fix: Context and intonation are the only signals. In speech, the imperative has a falling tone; the question has a rising tone. In writing, the punctuation marks the difference — always use an exclamation mark for imperatives, a question mark for questions.
Nuance 2: The wissen imperative Wisse! is grammatically correct but sounds archaic.
- Fix: In modern German, nobody says Wisse! in conversation. Use Denk daran! (Remember!) or rephrase entirely. Reserve Wisse! only for deliberately formal or literary writing.
Nuance 3: Using a bare imperative without bitte in a service context.
- Fix: In shops, restaurants, and offices, a command without bitte or a softening strategy sounds demanding. Always add bitte, or better, use a Konjunktiv II question: Könnten Sie mir bitte die Rechnung bringen?

Pronunciation Guide

Lern! – LERN – short and clipped; the final consonant is clear, no vowel added
Arbeite! – AR-bai-te – the final -e is clearly pronounced, never swallowed
Fahr! – FAHR – long open a, no umlaut, firm final r
Sieh! – ZEE – long ie vowel, sounds like English "see"
Sei! – ZAI – diphthong, sounds like English "sigh" without the final consonant
Steh auf! – SHTEH OWF – stress on the verb stem, prefix clearly enunciated
Setz dich! – ZETZ DICH – dich is unstressed and flows naturally after the verb
Seien Sie! – ZAI-en ZEE – both syllables of seien are pronounced; the most common irregular Sie form

Cultural Insights

Directness is not rudeness — among friends: Germans value clarity in communication, and a plain imperative like Komm mal! or Hilf mir! between friends or colleagues who use du is perfectly normal and warm. It does not carry the blunt edge it might have in English. The social register — du vs Sie — matters far more than whether bitte is included.
The Sie imperative in service settings: In restaurants, hotels, shops, and any professional interaction, the formal imperative is always expected. More importantly, adding bitte and using a rising intonation turns it into a polite request. Geben Sie mir bitte die Speisekarte — with a slight upward lilt — is entirely polite and natural.
Written German and the infinitive imperative: On signs, packaging, recipes, safety notices, and instruction manuals, the infinitive is used as a command: Nicht berühren (Do not touch), Kühl lagern (Store cool), Vor Gebrauch schütteln (Shake before use). This form is impersonal, gender-neutral, and avoids the choice between du and Sie altogether.
Workplace dynamics: In a modern German office, colleagues who use du with each other will use the informal imperative freely. A manager addressing staff in a team meeting might still use Sie with some individuals. The rule of thumb is simple: mirror the form of address the other person uses with you.

Practice Scenarios

Classroom: A teacher giving instructions to the whole group, e.g., Öffnet die Bücher auf Seite zehn! (Open your books to page ten!)
- Schreibt das Datum an die Tafel!
- Hört genau zu!
- Arbeitet jetzt in Gruppen!
Restaurant: Placing an order or making a formal request, e.g., Bringen Sie mir bitte die Rechnung. (Please bring me the bill.)
- Geben Sie mir bitte die Speisekarte.
- Könnten Sie mir noch ein Glas Wasser bringen?
- Empfehlen Sie mir bitte etwas vom Tagesmenü.
With Friends: Casual commands and suggestions among people who use du, e.g., Komm mit ins Kino! (Come to the cinema with us!)
- Lass uns Pizza bestellen!
- Sei nicht so faul!
- Hilf mir kurz beim Aufräumen.
Giving Directions: Using the formal imperative to help a stranger, e.g., Gehen Sie hier geradeaus und biegen Sie dann links ab. (Go straight ahead here, then turn left.)
- Nehmen Sie die zweite Straße rechts.
- Überqueren Sie die Ampel und gehen Sie weiter geradeaus.
- Steigen Sie am Hauptbahnhof aus.
Formal Letter: Giving written instructions or requests in a professional document, e.g., Senden Sie uns bitte Ihre Unterlagen bis zum 15. März. (Please send us your documents by 15 March.)
- Füllen Sie das Formular vollständig aus.
- Beachten Sie bitte die beigefügten Hinweise.
- Teilen Sie uns Ihre Entscheidung schriftlich mit.

Follow-Up Questions

How do I form the imperative for a separable verb like aufstehen?
- Example Answer: Take the verb stem and put the prefix at the end. For du: Steh auf! For ihr: Steht auf! For Sie: Stehen Sie auf!
What is the difference between Sei ruhig! and Seien Sie ruhig!?
- Example Answer: Sei ruhig! is the informal du imperative of sein. Seien Sie ruhig! is the formal Sie imperative. The meaning is the same — Be quiet! — but the social register is completely different.
When should I use the infinitive imperative instead of a conjugated form?
- Example Answer: Use the infinitive imperative for public signs, written instructions, recipes, and general rules where you are not addressing a specific person. It is neutral, formal, and avoids the need to choose between du and Sie.
How do I make a command sound polite without changing the meaning?
- Example Answer: Add bitte after the verb — Kommen Sie bitte. For an even softer tone, rephrase as a Konjunktiv II question: Könnten Sie bitte kommen? Both convey the same request but with very different levels of formality and softness.
Why does the a → ä vowel change disappear in the du imperative but the e → i change stays?
- Example Answer: This is a historical quirk of German. Umlaut changes in the present tense (a to ä) were introduced as a marker of person agreement, so they are not needed when the pronoun is dropped. The e to i change, by contrast, is part of a different class of verb inflection that predates this system and has been preserved in the imperative.

Conclusion

The imperative mood is one of the most immediately practical parts of German grammar — you will encounter and need it from your very first real conversations. By mastering the three forms, handling separable verbs and vowel changes, and knowing how to soften a command when the situation calls for it, you can communicate clearly and appropriately across a huge range of contexts. The natural next step from here is the Konjunktiv II, which gives you an even wider toolkit for expressing polite requests, hypothetical situations, and wishes — all of which build directly on the imperative strategies you have learned here.

Practice Makes Perfect

In the exercises, you will convert present tense sentences into all three imperative forms, work through negative commands, and choose the right level of politeness for a series of real-life situations. Pay particular attention to the vowel change rules for the du form and the placement of separable prefixes — these are the two areas where most learners make errors even after they know the basic rules.