- Video
- Introduction
- 1. What the imperative does (and when to use it)
- 2. How to form the imperative (affirmative)
- 3. Negative imperative form: V(dictionary form) + な
- 4. Tone ladder: which one should I use?
- 5. Examples you might hear in manga, anime, etc.
- 6. Practice Time!
- 7. Common mistakes (and quick fixes)
- 8. FAQ
- Conclusion
- Author
Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
Need to say “Hurry up!”, “Stop!”, or “Sit here!” in Japanese? That’s the imperative form (命令形)—a very strong command used sparingly in real life (emergencies, drills, or strict hierarchies), and heard more in anime/dramas.
We’ll show you how to form it, when to use it, and how it compares with softer options.
1. What the imperative does (and when to use it)
The imperative gives a direct, urgent order: “Do X!” It’s stronger than V-stem + なさい and far stronger than 〜てください. Use it for urgency (“Stop!”) or when there’s a big power gap; otherwise it can sound rude.
Examples:
- ここに座れ！ = Sit here!
- このドアを開けろ！ = Open this door!
- こっちだ、急げ！ = This way, hurry!
- 止まれ！ = Stop!
As described above, imperative form is stronger than “～なさい” and “～てください.” If you want to review these patterns, read the following articles:
- V-stem + なさい: How to Give Firm “Do ~” Commands in Japanese
- How to Use te kudasai（〜てください） in Japanese | Polite Request Form Explained
2. How to form the imperative (affirmative)
Use the verb dictionary form as your starting point.
| Verb type | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| U-verbs | Change final -u to -e | 行く (iku, to go) → 行け (ike) 飲む (nomu, to drink) → 飲め (nome) 書く (kaku, to write) → 書け (kake) 話す (hanasu, to speak) → 話せ (hanase) 取る (toru, to take) → 取れ (tore) 買う (kau, to buy) → 買え (kae) 走る (hashiru, to run) → 走れ (hashire) |
| Ru-verbs | Replace -ru with -ro | 食べる (taberu, to eat) → 食べろ (tabero) 見る (miru, to see) → 見ろ (miro) 寝る (neru, to sleep) → 寝ろ (nero) 起きる (okiru, to get up) → 起きろ (okiro) |
| Irregular | する → しろ 来る → 来い | 勉強する (to study) → 勉強しろ 説明する (to explain) → 説明しろ |
Pro Tip: In formal settings or exam instructions, “せよ” may be used as the imperative form of “する.” Example: この数式が成り立つ理由を説明せよ。= Explain why this equation holds true.
3. Negative imperative form: V(dictionary form) + な
Dictionary form + な gives a blunt “Don’t …”:
- 立つな！ = Don’t stand!
- tatsu (to stand) + na
- 開けるな！ = Don’t open it!
- akeru (to open) + na
- 大きな声で話すな！ = Don’t talk so loudly!
- hanasu (to talk) + na
- ここでタバコを吸うな！ = Don’t smoke here!
- su (to smoke) + na
The V(dictionary form) + na pattern is a very blunt and strict prohibition. It’s stronger than ~te wa ikemasen (you must not) and directly means “Don’t do X!”
Use it in urgent situations, warnings, or when expressing strong disapproval.
If you want to review “~te wa ikemasen,” read this article: How to Say “You Must Not” in Japanese | Using te-form + wa ikemasen（〜てはいけません）
4. Tone ladder: which one should I use?
From softest → strongest:
| No. | grammar | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | V-てください | “Please …” polite request | ドアを開けてください。 Please open the door. |
| 2 | V-て (plain) | casual “Do …” among close people | ドアを開けて。 |
| 3 | V-(stem) + なさい | firm order (parent/teacher to child/student) | ドアを開けなさい。 |
| 4 | imperative form | very strong “Do it!” / “Don’t!” (limited use) | ドアを開けろ！ |
5. Examples you might hear in manga, anime, etc.
手をあげろ！
(For example: A police officer with a gun pointing at the suspect) Hands up!
このドアを開けろ！
(For example: Police officer to a barricaded suspect) Open this door!
Reality check: In daily life, Japanese speakers avoid imperative form (命令形) unless it’s urgent or extremely hierarchical. Fiction (anime/manga/drama) uses it more freely for dramatic effect.
6. Practice Time!
Convert each cue to imperative (Do …) and negative imperative (Don’t …).
| Cue | Do … | Don’t … |
|---|---|---|
| 読む (yomu, to read) | 読め | 読むな |
| 書く (kaku, to write) | 書け | 書くな |
| 座る (suwaru, to sit down) | 座れ | 座るな |
| 来る (kuru, to come) | 来い (koi) | 来るな (kuruna) |
| 勉強する (benkyo suru, to study) | 勉強しろ | 勉強するな |
Your turn: make both the Do and Don’t forms.
- 逃げる (nigeru, to escape)
- 見る (miru, to see)
- 連れてくる (tsurete kuru, to bring along)
- 調べる (shiraberu, to research)
- 働く (hataraku, to work)
7. Common mistakes (and quick fixes)
| ❌ Wrong | Why | ✅ Say this |
|---|---|---|
| 行きます！ as a command | Imperative isn’t the polite ます form. | 行け！ |
| 食べるろ！ | Ru-verbs take ろ directly. | 食べろ！ |
| 開けますな！ | Negative imperative is dictionary + な. | 開けるな！ |
| Using 命令形 with strangers/seniors | Sounds rude or aggressive. | Use 〜てください instead. |
8. FAQ
- QWhat’s the biggest difference in usage between the imperative form (命令形) and V-nasai (〜なさい)?
- A
imperative Form (e.g., 行け！): Very strong, direct, and often harsh. It’s used in emergencies, for urgent warnings, or to express extreme anger. It can sound rude outside of specific contexts (like sports or military commands).
V-nasai (e.g., 行きなさい): A firm but generally softer instruction or encouragement. It’s commonly used by parents to children, or teachers to students, or in written instructions. It carries a sense of guidance rather than blunt force.
- QIs the imperative form (命令形) commonly used in daily conversation in Japan?
- A
No, not generally. In everyday polite or casual conversation, Japanese speakers tend to avoid the imperative form because it can sound very rude, aggressive, or overly strong.
- QHow do I make a polite request if the imperative form is too strong?
- A
The most common and polite way to make a request is by using V-te kudasai (〜てください).
You can also use just the te-form (e.g., 行って) for casual requests among close friends or for other similar situations.
- QWhat’s the difference between the negative imperative V-ru na (〜な) and V-te wa ikemasen (〜てはいけません)?
- A
V-ru na (e.g., 話すな！): A very direct, strong prohibition or warning. It’s often used in urgent situations, by figures of authority, or when very angry. It can sound quite aggressive.
V-te wa ikemasen (e.g., 話してはいけません): A more standard and polite way to say “You must not do X” or “You are not allowed to do X.” It expresses a rule or prohibition without necessarily being aggressive.
Conclusion
You’ve learned how to build the imperative (u→e, ru→ろ; する→しろ／せよ; 来る→来い) and the negative imperative (dictionary + な), when it’s appropriate, and how it compares to なさい／てください.
Use 命令形 sparingly—save it for emergencies, drills, or fiction—and default to softer forms in everyday Japanese.
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