Use the imperative for direct requests and instructions, choosing the form that matches the person addressed.

die Tür
der Satz
der Stuhl

The idea

Du usually drops the pronoun and infinitive ending; ihr uses its present-tense form without ihr. The formal form keeps Sie after the verb. Learn irregular forms such as nimm, lies and sei.

Patterns to compare
Form / MusterBeispiel / Gegensatz
duKomm! / Lies! / Sei!
ihrKommt! / Lest! / Seid!
SieKommen Sie! / Lesen Sie! / Seien Sie!

Examples

  • Komm bitte herein!
  • Wartet vor der Tür!
  • Lesen Sie den ersten Satz!
  • Nimm einen Stuhl!
  • Sei vorsichtig!
  • Fahrt langsam!

Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Choose the command form for the person addressed. Nimm is a du command; Nehmt addresses ihr; Nehmen Sie addresses someone formally and keeps Sie after the verb.

Try it yourself

  1. ___ bitte leise! (sein, du)

    Show answer or example answer

    Sei

    Answer: “Sei”. Use the command form for the stated addressee; formal Sie remains after the verb.

  2. ___ Sie hier! (warten)

    Show answer or example answer

    Warten

    Answer: “Warten”. Use the command form for the stated addressee; formal Sie remains after the verb.

  3. ___ das Buch! (nehmen, du)

    Show answer or example answer

    Nimm

    Answer: “Nimm”. Use the command form for the stated addressee; formal Sie remains after the verb.

Use it today

Write a two-line conversation around “Komm bitte herein!”. Use the target expression in your reply and make its intended meaning clear.