Imperative
Forming the imperative in Norwegian by removing the final -e from the infinitive.
I can form and use imperatives in Norwegian for instructions and polite requests.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Snakk saktere, takk!
Speak more slowly, please!
Kom inn og sitt ned!
Come in and sit down!
Vær stille, jeg tenker!
Be quiet, I'm thinking!
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Form imperatives by removing -e from the infinitive.
| Infinitive | Imperative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| snakke | snakk! | Speak slowly! |
| komme | kom! | Come here! |
| lese | les! | Read this! |
| være | vær! | Be quiet! |
Add 'gjerne' for polite requests: Sitt gjerne!
🇬🇧 Don't add -s/-ing: ❌ snakkes → ✅ snakk. Irregular: være→vær. Add 'gjerne' to soften. 🇷🇺 Не добавляйте окончаний. 🇨🇿 Bez koncovek.
Common Error Patterns
Leaving -e on the imperative form
Remove final -e: snakke→snakk, komme→kom, lese→les
Applying regular rule to irregular verbs
Memorise: være→vær, gjøre→gjør, si→si, gå→gå
Snakk saktere, takk!
Speak more slowly, please!
snakke → snakk (remove -e); add 'takk' for politeness
Kom inn og sitt ned!
Come in and sit down!
komme→kom, sitte→sitt; imperative of two verbs in sequence
Vær stille, jeg tenker!
Be quiet, I'm thinking!
være → vær (irregular); 'gjerne' softens: Vær gjerne stille
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises