Italian grammar · Elementary (A2)
The imperative: giving instructions
How to tell someone what to do in Italian with tu, Lei, noi and voi, how to say “don't”, and where pronouns go.
Tu, noi and voi
The imperative is the form for instructions, advice and invitations. With , -are verbs end in -a, and -ere and -ire verbs end in -i, like the present. The form means “let's”: (Let's go!). The form is the same as the present.
-Ire verbs that add -isc- in the present do the same here: .
| Person | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
The polite Lei form
With , the vowel swaps: -are verbs end in -i, and -ere and -ire verbs end in -a: , , , . Many common verbs are irregular, so learn them as you meet them: , , .
| Infinitive | ||
|---|---|---|
| / | ||
| / | ||
| / | ||
| / | ||
Saying “don't”
For , use + the infinitive: (Don't turn!), . For all the other persons, just put before the normal imperative: (Lei), (voi: don't worry).
- Non aspettare, vai pure.Don't wait, go ahead.
- Signora, non si preoccupi.Don't worry, madam.
- Non mangiamo troppo tardi.Let's not eat too late.
Imperatives with pronouns
Pronouns join the end of the , and forms: (send me), (take it), (let's go there). With the short forms , , and , the first consonant of the pronoun doubles: (tell me), (let me see), (give me).
With , the pronoun always goes before: , , .
- Chiamami quando arrivi.Call me when you arrive.
- Dimmi tutto.Tell me everything.
- Mi scusi, può ripetere?Excuse me, could you repeat that?