How do you use "Imperative (commands)" in a sentence?

Open the window. Please be quiet. Don't forget your keys. Take the first left.

Imperative (commands)

Q: What does "Imperative (commands)" mean?

Giving orders, instructions, and requests Use the base form of the verb without a subject: 'Sit down.' 'Please close the door.' For negative imperatives, use 'Don't + verb': 'Don't touch that.' Add 'please' for politeness.

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: Giving orders, instructions, and requests

发出命令、指示和请求

Dar órdenes, instrucciones y peticiones

命令、指示、リクエストをする

명령, 지시, 요청하기

Use the base form of the verb without a subject: 'Sit down.' 'Please close the door.' For negative imperatives, use 'Don't + verb': 'Don't touch that.' Add 'please' for politeness.

使用动词原形，不带主语：'Sit down.' 'Please close the door.' 否定祈使句用'Don't + 动词'：'Don't touch that.' 加'please'表示礼貌。

Usa la forma base del verbo sin sujeto: 'Sit down.' 'Please close the door.' Para imperativos negativos, usa 'Don't + verbo': 'Don't touch that.' Añade 'please' para cortesía.

主語なしで動詞の原形を使います：「Sit down.」「Please close the door.」否定命令は「Don't + 動詞」：「Don't touch that.」丁寧さのために「please」を加えます。

주어 없이 동사 원형을 사용합니다: 'Sit down.' 'Please close the door.' 부정 명령문은 'Don't + 동사'를 씁니다: 'Don't touch that.' 공손함을 위해 'please'를 추가합니다.

Examples

Open the window.
打开窗户。
Abre la ventana.
窓を開けて。
창문을 여세요.
Please be quiet.
请安静。
Por favor, guarda silencio.
静かにしてください。
조용히 해 주세요.
Don't forget your keys.
别忘了你的钥匙。
No olvides tus llaves.
鍵を忘れないで。
열쇠를 잊지 마세요.
Take the first left.
在第一个路口左转。
Gira a la izquierda en la primera calle.
最初の角を左に曲がって。
첫 번째 길에서 좌회전하세요.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, instructions, everyday

Tone: directive

✓ Do Say

Wait here.
在这里等着。
Espera aquí.
ここで待って。
여기서 기다리세요.
Please sit down.
请坐下。
Por favor siéntate.
座ってください。
앉으세요.
Don't worry.
别担心。
No te preocupes.
心配しないで。
걱정하지 마세요.

✗ Don't Say

You sit down! (sounds rude)
You sit down.（祈使句不加主语）
You sit down. (sin sujeto en imperativo)
You sit down.（命令文には主語不要）
You sit down! (무례하게 들림)
To sit down. (infinitive, not imperative)
Not touch that.（应用'Don't touch'）
Not touch that. (usar 'Don't touch')
Not touch that.（「Don't touch」を使う）
To sit down. (부정사이지 명령문이 아님)
Don't to touch that. (no 'to')
Don't to touch that. ('to' 불필요)

Origin & History

Command formation

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal