Forming Commands
Imparativ (or the command form) allows one to tell another person to do something, perform some action. These may be in the form of "polite" suggestions: Pass the salt, please! , however these are still commands.
Forming commands is a little more complicated in German because there are 3 (or 4) different forms.
Remember - when you command someone to "watch out" in English, one does not use the word YOU. In English there is only one form of the word YOU. In German there are 3 forms for the word YOU, and thus there are 3 different ways to form a command.|
Explanation |
Examples |
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When addressing a good friend you place the verb in the first position, conjugate the verb for the DU form, and drop off the -ST. You do not include the word DU. Remember that some verbs are irregular in the DU form (sehen, lesen, geben, etc.) You should never simply drop the -EN off of the infinitive form of the verb. You will end up with the incorrect form in some cases. |
GEH für mich einkuafen! PASS auf! MACH bitte die Hausuafgaben! ISS eine Bratwurst!* (irregular verb ) |
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When addressing several good friends you place the verb in the first position and conjugate the verb for the IHR form. You do not include the word IHR. |
GEHT für mich einkaufen! PASST auf! MACHT bitte die Hausaufgaben! ESST eine Bratwurst |
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Wjen addressomg a stranger or person in authority you place the verb in the first position and conjugate the verb for the SIE form. You include the word SIE after the verb. |
GEHEN Sie für mich einkaufen! PASSEN Sie auf! MACHEN Sie bitte die Hausaufgaben! ESSEN Sie eine Bratwurst! |
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When addressing a group of people includinge yourself you place the verb in the first positon and conjugate the verb for the WIR form. You include wir word WIR after the verb. |
GEHEN wir einkaufen! PASSEN wir auf! MACHEN wir die Hausaufgaben! ESSEN wir eine Bratwurst! |
Tell the following people to do the things indicated. Include the word MAL after the verb (or the word SIE or WIR) a few times. It often is used in commands. It doesn't translate to much of anything, but refers to the fact that the action should be performed at some unsated time in the future.
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The Situation |
The Command auf Deutsch! |
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Tell your friend Hans to play cards |
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Tell your friends Eva and Inge to stay here |
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Tell your teacher, Herr Wenzel, not to cheat - put the word NICHT at the end. |
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Tell your friend Anne to drink a cola |
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Tell your friends Hans and Franz to eat the salad remember, salad will be a direct object) |
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Suggest that we all go to (zum) the supermarket |
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Tell the sales clerk go away (weg) |
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Tell your friend Werner to eat a banana. Remember essen is an irregular verb |