The imperativeWhat is the imperative?

The imperative is a used to convey a command, suggestion, request or instruction, for example:

• get up! → lève-toi !
• close the door → ferme la porte
• add 100g of flour → ajoutez 100g de farine

How to form the imperative

To form the imperative, drop the tu, vous or nous and keep the verb in the present tense:

• prendre: tu prends → prends ! - take!
• faire: vous faites → faites ! - do/make!
• aller: nous allons → allons ! - let's go!
• partir: tu pars → pars ! - leave!

With -er verbs, take the final -s off the tu form of the verb:

• tu regardes → regarde ! - look!
• tu manges → mange ! - eat!

Reflexive verbs in the imperative

With reflexive verbs in the tu form, the te changes to toi, but you must add a hyphen:

• tu te lèves → lève-toi ! - stand up!
• tu t'assieds → assieds-toi ! - sit down!

Making suggestions

If you want to suggest doing something, use the imperative form of nous:

• allons à la piscine ! - let's go to the swimming pool!
• prenons un taxi ! - let's take a taxi!