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This lesson covers the Italian imperative mood used for giving commands, focusing on verbs like parlare (parla), scrivere (scrivi), and aprire (apri). You will learn imperative forms for tu, noi, and voi, including irregular verbs such as essere (sii) and avere (abbi).
  1. For the "tu" use the third person singular in the present tense for verbs of the first conjugation.
  2. For the "tu" of second and third conjugation verbs, use the second person singular in the present tense.
  3. For "noi", "voi" use the respective present tense conjugation.
Persona1a coniugazione: Parlare2a coniugazione: Scrivere3a coniugazione: Aprire (3rd conjugation: To open)
TuParlaScriviApri
Noi (We)ParliamoScriviamoApriamo
VoiParlateScriveteAprite

Exceptions!

  1. Irregular verbs: essere (sii, siamo, siate); avere (abbi, abbiamo, abbiate); dire (di', diciamo, dite).

Exercise 1: L'imperativo

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Scrivi, parla, Andate, Rispondi, Dite, Sii, Leggiamo, Usiamo

1. Usare, noi:
... questo portale per inviare le candidature.
(We use this portal to send applications.)
2. Leggere, noi:
... attentamente ogni offerta.
(Let's read each offer carefully.)
3. Andare, voi:
... sul sito per cercare un nuovo impiego.
(Go to the site to look for a new job.)
4. Rispondere, tu:
... alle email con un tono professionale.
(Reply to emails with a professional tone.)
5. Scrivere, tu:
... il tuo nome sul modulo di candidatura.
(Write your name on the application form.)
6. Parlare, tu:
Per favore, ... lentamente durante il colloquio.
(Please speak slowly during the interview.)
7. Dire, voi:
... qualcosa di originale nella lettera motivazionale.
(Say something original in the motivation letter.)
8. Essere, tu:
... puntuale al colloquio di domani.
(Be punctual for tomorrow's interview.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct imperative sentence from the options provided in each block.

1.
'Parli' is the present subjunctive form or the polite imperative, not the direct imperative for 'tu'.
'Parlate' is the imperative form for 'voi', not for 'tu'.
2.
'Scrivete' is the imperative for 'voi', not for 'tu'.
'Scrive' is the third person singular present indicative, not the imperative for 'tu'.
3.
'Aprite' is the imperative for 'voi', not for 'tu'.
'Apre' is the third person singular indicative, not the imperative for 'tu'.
4.
'Siate' is the imperative for 'voi' and also does not agree in the singular.
'Sei' is present indicative, not imperative.

The Imperative Mood in Italian

This lesson focuses on the imperative mood (l'imperativo), which is used to give commands, orders, or instructions in Italian. Understanding how to form and use the imperative is essential for everyday communication, especially when you want to tell someone to do something directly.

Forms of the Imperative

Italian imperative forms vary depending on the subject and the conjugation group of the verb:

  • Tu (you, singular informal): For verbs in the first conjugation (-are verbs), use the third person singular present tense. For instance, Parla from parlare (to speak).
  • For verbs in the second (-ere) and third (-ire) conjugations, the imperative for tu is the second person singular present tense, such as Scrivi (from scrivere) and Apri (from aprire).
  • Noi (we) and Voi (you, plural): Use the present tense forms matching these subjects, for example Parliamo (we speak), Parlate (you all speak).

Examples for Each Verb Group

Person1st Conjugation: Parlare2nd Conjugation: Scrivere3rd Conjugation: Aprire
TuParlaScriviApri
NoiParliamoScriviamoApriamo
VoiParlateScriveteAprite

Irregular Verbs

Some common Italian verbs have irregular imperative forms that you need to memorize:

  • Essere: sii (tu), siamo (noi), siate (voi)
  • Avere: abbi (tu), abbiamo (noi), abbiate (voi)
  • Dire: di' (tu), diciamo (noi), dite (voi)

Important Differences and Useful Expressions

Unlike English, where the imperative simply uses the base verb form ("Speak!", "Write!", "Open!"), Italian imperatives change depending on verb conjugation and grammatical person. Also, the tu form in first conjugation verbs uses the third person singular, which is a unique feature.

Here are some useful imperative expressions:

  • Parla più lentamente durante il colloquio. – Speak more slowly during the interview.
  • Scrivi il tuo curriculum entro domani. – Write your resume by tomorrow.
  • Apri il file con attenzione. – Open the file carefully.
  • Sii puntuale all'appuntamento. – Be punctual for the appointment.

Remember, imperatives are direct and concise commands. Learning their correct formation will greatly improve your conversational skills in Italian.

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 28/08/2025 18:12