Der informelle Imperativ

The imperative gives orders, instructions, advice and invitations: "Come in!", "Turn left", "Try the tiramisù!". This topic covers the informal forms, for tu, noi ("let's") and voi.

The noi and voi forms are the same as the present: Andiamo! - Let's go! Entrate! - Come in (all of you)! For tu, the -ere and -ire verbs also use the present form (prendi, dormi), but the -are verbs end in -a: Parla più piano! - Speak more slowly! Guarda! - Look! Saying Parli più piano! to a friend turns it into the polite Lei command.

Negative tu: non + infinitive

For tu, a negative command is non + the infinitive:

• Non parlare! - Don't talk!
• Non preoccuparti! - Don't worry!
• Non toccare! - Don't touch! (what Italian parents say in every shop)

Noi and voi keep their normal form: Non parlate! Non andiamo! English speakers tend to say Non parla! to a friend, copying the positive form, but that is a statement: "he doesn't talk".

Irregular tu forms

Sii gentile! - Be nice! Abbi pazienza! - Be patient! (literally "have patience"). Dai!, from dare, has become the all-purpose "Come on!".

Pronouns stick to the end

In the positive imperative, pronouns attach to the verb: Mangialo! - Eat it! Scrivimi! - Write to me! Andiamoci! - Let's go there! After the one-syllable forms va', fa', da', di', sta' the pronoun's consonant doubles: Dimmi! - Tell me! Fammi vedere! - Let me see! (gli is the exception: Digli - tell him).