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The Italian imperative: complete formation and usage

In brief
  • Command mood: The Italian imperative expresses orders, advice and invitations
  • Simple formation: Formed by removing the endings -are, -ere, -ire and adding specific endings
  • Three groups: Verbs ending in -are, -ere and -ire follow different formation rules
  • Special forms: Auxiliary verbs essere and avere have irregular conjugations to remember
  • Daily usage: Very frequent in conversations for giving instructions
The Italian imperative allows you to express orders, advice, invitations and prohibitions in everyday life. This verbal mood is distinguished by its particular formation according to the three groups of verbs.

Formation of the imperative for first group verbs (-are)

First group verbs, which end in -are, form their imperative by removing this ending and adding specific endings. This formation concerns the second person singular (tu) and plural (voi), as well as the first person plural (noi). To conjugate a verb like parlare (to speak) in the imperative, the transformation is done as follows:
Person Ending Example: parlare Translation
(Tu) -a Parla! Speak!
(Noi) -iamo Parliamo! Let’s speak!
(Voi) -ate Parlate! Speak!
Other first group verbs follow this same rule. The verb cantare (to sing) is conjugated: Canta! (Sing!), Cantiamo! (Let’s sing!), Cantate! (Sing!). Similarly, camminare (to walk) becomes Cammina! (Walk!), Camminiamo! (Let’s walk!), Camminate! (Walk!). The use of these imperative forms appears in many common situations:
  • Ascolta la musica! (Listen to the music!)
  • Guardiamo il film insieme! (Let’s watch the film together!)
  • Aspettate qui! (Wait here!)

Formation of the imperative for second group verbs (-ere)

Second group verbs ending in -ere adopt a slightly different formation system. The ending -ere disappears to make way for the imperative endings. Let’s take the example of the verb scrivere (to write) to illustrate this formation:
Person Ending Example: scrivere Translation
(Tu) -i Scrivi! Write!
(Noi) -iamo Scriviamo! Let’s write!
(Voi) -ete Scrivete! Write!
This rule applies to all regular second group verbs. The verb leggere (to read) is therefore conjugated: Leggi! (Read!), Leggiamo! (Let’s read!), Leggete! (Read!). The verb vendere (to sell) becomes Vendi! (Sell!), Vendiamo! (Let’s sell!), Vendete! (Sell!). These imperative forms appear frequently in instructions and advice:
  • Prendi le chiavi! (Take the keys!)
  • Corriamo al parco! (Let’s run to the park!)
  • Spendete con saggezza! (Spend wisely!)

Formation of the imperative for third group verbs (-ire)

Third group verbs, ending in -ire, present two sub-categories for imperative formation. Some verbs add -isc- to the stem, whilst others don’t need it. For verbs that don’t add -isc-, like partire (to leave), the formation follows this pattern:
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Person Ending Example: partire Translation
(Tu) -i Parti! Leave!
(Noi) -iamo Partiamo! Let’s leave!
(Voi) -ite Partite! Leave!
For verbs that add -isc-, like finire (to finish), the conjugation becomes:
Person Ending Example: finire Translation
(Tu) -isci Finisci! Finish!
(Noi) -iamo Finiamo! Let’s finish!
(Voi) -ite Finite! Finish!
Other verbs follow these same rules. Dormire (to sleep) is conjugated: Dormi! (Sleep!), Dormiamo! (Let’s sleep!), Dormite! (Sleep!). Capire (to understand) becomes Capisci! (Understand!), Capiamo! (Let’s understand!), Capite! (Understand!). These forms allow you to express various nuances:
  • Senti la differenza! (Feel the difference!)
  • Costruiamo qualcosa insieme! (Let’s build something together!)
  • Pulite la casa! (Clean the house!)

The imperative of auxiliary verbs essere and avere

The auxiliaries essere (to be) and avere (to have) present particular imperative forms that differ from the general rules of the three groups. The auxiliary essere is conjugated irregularly:
Person Form Translation
(Tu) Sii! Be!
(Noi) Siamo! Let’s be!
(Voi) Siate! Be!
The auxiliary avere also presents specific forms:
Person Form Translation
(Tu) Abbi! Have!
(Noi) Abbiamo! Let’s have!
(Voi) Abbiate! Have!
These imperative forms of auxiliaries are used in common expressions:
  • Sii paziente! (Be patient!)
  • Siamo gentili con tutti! (Let’s be kind to everyone!)
  • Abbiate fiducia! (Have confidence!)
  • Abbi cura di te! (Take care of yourself!)

Irregular verbs in the imperative

Several irregular verbs present particular imperative forms that should be memorised. These verbs don’t follow the standard formation rules of the three groups. The verb fare (to do/make) is conjugated as follows:
  • Fa’! or Fai! (Do!)
  • Facciamo! (Let’s do!)
  • Fate! (Do!)
The verb dire (to say) becomes:
  • Di’! (Say!)
  • Diciamo! (Let’s say!)
  • Dite! (Say!)
The verb andare (to go) presents these forms:
  • Va’! or Vai! (Go!)
  • Andiamo! (Let’s go!)
  • Andate! (Go!)
The verb dare (to give) is conjugated:
  • Da’! or Dai! (Give!)
  • Diamo! (Let’s give!)
  • Date! (Give!)
The verb stare (to stay, to be located) becomes:
  • Sta’! or Stai! (Stay!)
  • Stiamo! (Let’s stay!)
  • State! (Stay!)
Other important irregular verbs include venire (to come): Vieni! (Come!), Veniamo! (Let’s come!), Venite! (Come!). The verb uscire (to go out) is conjugated: Esci! (Go out!), Usciamo! (Let’s go out!), Uscite! (Go out!). These irregular verbs appear in many everyday expressions:
  • Fai attenzione! (Pay attention!)
  • Dimmi la verità! (Tell me the truth!)
  • Vieni qui! (Come here!)
  • Andiamo al cinema! (Let’s go to the cinema!)

Usage and contexts of the Italian imperative

The Italian imperative is used in various communication situations to express different nuances depending on context and intonation. This richness of usage makes it a particularly lively verbal mood in spoken language.
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To give direct orders, the imperative expresses a clear and firm instruction:
  • Chiudi la porta! (Close the door!)
  • Spegnete la televisione! (Turn off the television!)
  • Finite i compiti! (Finish your homework!)
To formulate benevolent advice, the imperative takes on a gentler tone:
  • Prendi un ombrello! (Take an umbrella!)
  • Riposatevi un po’! (Rest a bit!)
  • Studia con calma! (Study calmly!)
To extend invitations, the imperative expresses encouragement and conviviality:
  • Vieni a cena da noi! (Come to dinner at ours!)
  • Entriamo insieme! (Let’s go in together!)
  • Sedetevi, per favore! (Sit down, please!)
In technical instructions or recipes, the imperative guides step by step:
  • Mescola gli ingredienti! (Mix the ingredients!)
  • Premete il pulsante rosso! (Press the red button!)
  • Seguite le indicazioni! (Follow the directions!)
The negative imperative is formed by adding non before the verbal form, except for the second person singular which uses the infinitive preceded by non:
  • Non parlare! (Don’t speak!) – infinitive
  • Non parliamo! (Let’s not speak!) – imperative
  • Non parlate! (Don’t speak!) – imperative

Practical exercise

Test your knowledge of the Italian imperative:
Question 1: What is the correct imperative form of the verb “mangiare” (to eat) in the 2nd person singular?
Verbs ending in -are form their imperative in the 2nd person singular with -a: “Mangia!”
Question 2: How do you conjugate “scrivere” (to write) in the imperative, 2nd person plural?
Verbs ending in -ere form their imperative in the 2nd person plural with -ete: “Scrivete!”
Question 3: What is the correct imperative form of the verb “finire” (to finish) in the 2nd person singular?
The verb “finire” adds -isc- to the stem in the 2nd person singular: “Finisci!”
Question 4: How do you conjugate the auxiliary “essere” (to be) in the imperative, 2nd person singular?
The auxiliary “essere” has an irregular imperative conjugation: “Sii!”
Question 5: What is the correct negative imperative form for “parlare” in the 2nd person singular?
In the negative imperative, the 2nd person singular uses the infinitive: “Non parlare!”
Question 6: How do you conjugate “fare” (to do/make) in the imperative, 1st person plural?
The irregular verb “fare” is conjugated “Facciamo!” in the 1st person plural of the imperative.