GrammatikImperativ
Imperativ
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The imperative is used to give commands, instructions, requests, or advice.
In Russian, the imperative mainly exists in two forms:
- Singular informal → ты
- Plural / polite → вы
Basic usage
- Скажи́! (Say it! - to one person)
- Скажи́те! (Say it! - to several people or to one person formally)
The plural form (-те) is also used for formal speech when addressing one person.
How to form the imperative
The imperative is usually formed from the verb stem, often with:
- -й
- -и
- or no ending (rare cases)
Then add -те for plural or polite forms.
Verbs with -й
- чита́ть → чита́й → чита́йте (read!)
- гуля́ть → гуля́й → гуля́йте (walk!)
Verbs with -и
- говорить → говори́ → говори́те (speak!)
- писать → пиши́ → пиши́те (write!)
Irregular forms
Some very common imperatives are short or irregular:
- сказать → скажи́ / скажи́те (say!)
- быть → будь → бу́дьте (be!)
- идти → иди́ → иди́те (go!)
- дать → дай → да́йте (give!)
- есть → е́шь / е́шьте (eat!)
- пить → пей / пе́йте (drink!)
Reflexive verbs
Reflexive verbs keep -ся / -сь:
- учи́ться → учи́сь → учи́тесь (study!)
- сади́ться → сади́сь → сади́тесь (sit down!)
Negative imperative
To say “don’t do something”, use не + imperative:
- Не говори́! (Don’t speak!)
- Не чита́йте! (Don’t read!)
For stronger or more general prohibitions, Russian often uses не + infinitive:
- Не кури́ть! (No smoking!)
- Не входи́ть! (Do not enter!)
Aspect in the imperative
Aspect is very important in Russian imperatives:
- Imperfective → process, general instruction, repeated action
- Perfective → result, one-time action, completion
Examples:
-
Пиши́! (Write! – focus on the process)
-
Напиши́! (Write it! – focus on completing it)
-
Чита́й! (Read! – in general)
-
Прочита́й! (Read it through / finish reading)
Polite requests
Imperatives are often softened with polite words:
- Пожа́луйста, скажи́те... (Please tell me...)
- Ска́жите, пожа́луйста...
Let’s / suggestions (давай / давайте)
To make suggestions (“let’s do something”), Russian often uses дава́й (informal) or дава́йте (plural / polite):
- Дава́й пойдём! (Let’s go!)
- Дава́йте начнём. (Let’s start.)
Alternatively, without imperative, you can use the "we" form:
- (Let's go to the cinema.)
- (Let's start.)
Summary
- The imperative is used for commands, requests and instructions.
- There are two main forms: singular (ты) and plural/polite (вы).
- The plural/polite form is made by adding -те.
- Negation uses не.
- Aspect is important: imperfective = process, perfective = result.
- Reflexive verbs keep -ся / -сь.
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