A2.38 - Job interview

The negative imperative

L'imperativo negativo

L'imperativo negativo si usa per vietare un'azione.

(The negative imperative is used to forbid an action.)

What you are learning: the negative imperative (prohibition)

Use the imperativo negativo to say: “don’t do this” / “let’s not do this”.

  • Tu: direct instruction to one person (informal).
  • Noi: proposal including yourself: “let’s not …”.
  • Voi: instruction to a group (informal plural).

Step 1 — Choose the person: tu, noi, or voi

Who? Meaning in English Typical context
tu Don’t (you, singular) Colleague you know well, friend, peer
noi Let’s not (we) Team decision, shared plan
voi Don’t (you, plural) Group instructions, meeting rules

Step 2 — Build the form (the key difference)

  • tu: non + infinitive
  • noi / voi: non + (normal) imperative form
Person Formula Example (aprire) English
tu non + infinito Non aprire Don’t open
noi non + imperativo Non apriamo Let’s not open
voi non + imperativo Non aprite Don’t open (you all)

A fast pattern check with the 3 conjugations

For tu, you always keep the infinitive ending:

  • -are: non parlare
  • -ere: non scrivere
  • -ire: non aprire

For noi and voi, use the same forms you would use in the positive imperative:

  • noi: parliamo / scriviamo / apriamo → Non parliamo, Non scriviamo, Non apriamo
  • voi: parlate / scrivete / aprite → Non parlate, Non scrivete, Non aprite

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

  • Mistake 1 (tu): using the present tense instead of the infinitive.

    Non scrivi → Non scrivere (Don’t write)

  • Mistake 2: mixing up noi and tu.

    Non aprire (this is tu) → Non apriamo (this is noi)

  • Mistake 3: using the future to sound “strong”. Italian uses the negative imperative.

    Non parlerete → Non parlate

  • Mistake 4: confusing voi with the formal form (Lei).

    voi: Non scrivete (you all)

    Lei (formal, not in this table): Non scriva

Mini self-check before you answer

  1. Who am I talking to? tu / noi / voi
  2. If it’s tu: did I use non + infinitive?
  3. If it’s noi/voi: did I use non + imperative (parliamo/parlate etc.)?
  4. Does the meaning match?
    • Non apriamo = Let’s not open (we)
    • Non aprite = Don’t open (you all)

Ready-to-use workplace examples

  • Tu: Non parlare troppo velocemente. (Don’t speak too quickly.)
  • Tu: Non scrivere al capo senza avvisare l’HR. (Don’t write to the boss without informing HR.)
  • Noi: Non apriamo l’allegato prima di verificare il mittente. (Let’s not open the attachment before checking the sender.)
  • Voi: Non parlate durante la presentazione. (Don’t speak during the presentation.)
  1. The negative imperative with 'tu' is formed with non + infinitive.
  2. The negative imperative for 'noi', 'voi' is formed with non + imperative.
Persona (Person)1a coniugazione: Parlare (1st conjugation: to speak)2a coniugazione: Scrivere (2nd conjugation: to write)3a coniugazione: Aprire (3rd conjugation: to open)
Tu (You (singular))Non parlare (Don’t speak)Non scrivereNon aprire
Noi (We)Non parliamo (Let’s not speak)Non scriviamoNon apriamo
Voi (You (plural))Non parlate (Don’t speak)Non scriveteNon aprite

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

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1. Durante il colloquio, ____ troppo velocemente.

During the interview, ____ too quickly.

2. In questa fase, ____ al capo senza prima informare le risorse umane.

At this stage, ____ to the boss without first informing human resources.

3. Per favore, ____ il contratto di lavoro prima della spiegazione.

Please, ____ the employment contract before the explanation.

4. Prima di firmare, ____ solo lo stipendio: controlla anche il periodo di prova.

Before signing, ____ only the salary: also check the probation period.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rewrite the sentences by changing the imperative into a negative imperative (prohibition): for TU use “non + infinitive”, for NOI/VOI use “non + imperative”.

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  1. Hint Hint (Tu) Apri la porta, per favore.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Non aprire la porta, per favore.
    (Don’t open the door, please.)
  2. Hint Hint (Voi) Parlate durante la riunione.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Non parlate durante la riunione.
    (Don’t talk during the meeting.)
  3. Hint Hint (Noi) Scriviamo l’email mentre l’intervistatore parla.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Non scriviamo l’email mentre l’intervistatore parla.
    (Let’s not write the email while the interviewer is speaking.)
  4. Hint Hint (Tu) Scrivi il numero del tuo documento su questo foglio.
    ⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Non scrivere il numero del tuo documento su questo foglio.
    (Don’t write your document number on this sheet.)

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Wednesday, 15/04/2026 19:19