Using The Imperative In Italian – Part 2. Posted by Geoff on Jan 9, 2018 in Grammar
In Using The Imperative In Italian – Part 1. we focused on how we order, invite, or urge someone to do something informally, that is to say amongst friends and family. Today we’re going to find out how we use the imperative in formal situations.
To order, invite or urge someone to do something formally in the second person singular (lei) we use a form called the congiuntivo esortativo. In the second person plural (voi), we use exactly the same form as we did for the informal (see part 1). Let’s take a look at how it works.
Guardi che bel tramonto! = look at that beautiful sunset! Photo by Geoff.
Examples of common regular verbs:
| Infinitives ending in -are | Second person singular: lei (you, formal) | Second person plural: voi (you, plural) |
| guardare = to look ascoltare = to listen scusare = to excuse accomodarsi = to make oneself comfortable entrare = to enter/come in aspettare = to wait |
guardi = look ascolti = listen scusi = excuse me si accomodi = make yourself comfortable entri = come in aspetti = wait |
guardate = look ascoltate = listen scusate = excuse me accomodatevi = make yourselves comfortable entrate = come in aspettate = wait |
| Infinitives ending in -ere | Second person singular: lei (you, formal) | Second person plural: voi (you, plural) |
| vedere = to see leggere = to read scrivere = to write chiedere = to ask scendere = to get off/down |
veda = see legga = read scriva = write chieda = ask scenda = get off/down |
vedete = see leggete = read scrivete = write chiedete = ask scendete = get off/down |
| Infinitives ending in -ire | Second person singular: lei (you, formal) | Second person plural: voi (you, plural) |
| sentire = to listen servirsi = to help oneself aprire = to open finire = to finish capire = to understand |
senta = listen si serva = help yourself apra = open finisca = finish capisca = understand |
sentite = listen servitevi = help yourselves aprite = open finite = finish capite = understand |
Examples of common irregular verbs:
| Infinitive | Second person singular: lei (you, formal) | Second person plural: voi (you, plural) |
| venire = to come andare = to go dare = to give dire = to say fare = to make/do stare = to stay/to be |
venga = come vada = go dia = give dica = say faccia = do/make stia = stay/be |
venite = come andate = go date = give dite = say fate = do/make state = stay/be |
Examples of everyday usage:
guardi che bel tramonto! = look at that beautiful sunset!
aspetti un attimo che glielo vado a prendere = please wait a moment while I go and get it for you
scusi, non volevo intromettermi = excuse me, I didn’t mean to intrude
legga le istruzioni attentamente = read the instructions carefully
scenda dal treno a Parma = get off the train at Parma
apra la porta, per favore = open the door please
si serva pure = please, help yourself
vada a quel paese! = go stuff yourself! (literally ‘go to that village’) Yes, we can insult somebody politely!
mi dia un colpo di telefono verso l’ora di pranzo = give me a call around lunchtime
stia tranquillo, ci penso io = don’t worry, I’ll take care of it
N.B. the imperative in the first person plural (noi) is also expressed with the congiuntivo esortativo, which in this case is written exactly the same as the normal present, e.g.:
silenzio, ascoltiamo quello che sta dicendo Giorgia! = silence, let’s listen to what Giorgia is saying!
ragazzi, finiamo il compito per domani = kids, let’s finish our homework for tomorrow
forza, andiamo! = come on, let’s go
To find out how the negative imperative works check out this article: Forget Me Not
If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment.
A presto!
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Comments:
Donna:
I read your blog every day, and I love it! This morning while reading today’s topic, “Imperative,” I had to stop and think. On your table the second person singular is stated as “Lei.” I always thought the second person singular pronoun was “tu,” and the third person included Lei as well as he and she. Please advise
Geoff:
@Donna Salve Donna!
You wrote:
Steve:
Mi Scusi, Lei ha fatto un error di scrivere quando ha scritto “Italian polite ordsers” nella sezione di Tags.
Penso che l’abbia fatto due volte. Veda questo link
https://blogs.transparent.com/italian/tu-and-leipart-2/
Geoff:
@Steve Thanks for the heads up Steve, these things happen!
A presto, Geoff 🙂
Mark Webber:
What about negative imperatives? Do they require the infinitive? ‘Don’t watch!’ ‘Non guardare!’
Geoff:
@Mark Webber Vedi questo articolo Mark: https://blogs.transparent.com/italian/forget-me-not/
A presto!
P.S. I’ve added a link to the present blog.
Mtawali.:
Thanks continue teaching me..the verbs..
Serena:
@Mtawali. Non c’è di che!