Imperative mood: ćwicz! nie ćwicz!

What the imperative does (tryb rozkazujący)

Tryb rozkazujący = “Do it / Let’s do it / Do it (you all)”.

• ty (you, singular): Pisz! = Write!
• my (let’s…): Piszmy! = Let’s write!
• wy (you, plural): Piszcie! = Write! (everyone)

In Polish, you usually form it from a present-tense “stem” (see below), not from an infinitive.

Step 1: Find the base form (the “ty” present stem)

For many verbs you start from 2nd person singular present (ty): the form ending in -esz / -isz / -ysz.

Step 2: Build the three imperative forms (ty / my / wy)

Once you have the imperative base, add:

• ty: base only → pisz!
• my: base + -my → piszmy!
• wy: base + -cie → piszcie!

Important spelling pattern: when to add -ij

If the stem ends in two consonants, Polish often inserts -ij to make pronunciation easier.

• ciągniesz → ciągn- → ciągnij!
• śpisz → śp- → śpij!

Then build the rest normally:

• ciągnij! → ciągnijmy! → ciągnijcie!
• śpij! → śpijmy! → śpijcie!

Verbs in -m, -sz: use the “they” form (3rd person plural)

For verbs like gram, grasz, grają, take the stem from 3rd person plural (oni/one) and remove -ą / -ją.

Two key irregular imperatives: być, mieć

How to say “Don’t …” (negation)

Use: nie + imperative

• Wejdź! (Come in!) → Nie wchodź! (Don’t come in!)
• Wyjdź! (Go out!) → Nie wychodź! (Don’t go out!)

What to pay attention to: after nie, Polish normally uses the imperfective verb (the “process/habit” version). That’s why the verb often changes.

Politeness tip: why some imperatives can sound impatient

• Perfective imperative often sounds like a single, clear action: Napisz maila. (Write the email.)
• Imperfective imperative can sound like “hurry up / keep doing it” and may feel pushy: Pisz ten list!

If you want to be softer in real life, add words like proszę (please) or use a question:

• Proszę, napisz ten e-mail.
• Możesz napisać ten e-mail? (Can you write this email?)

Self-check: choose the correct “recipe”

1. Does the verb look like piszesz / robisz / suszysz? → build from ty present.
2. Does the stem end in two consonants? → insert -ij (e.g., śpij, ciągnij).
3. Does it look like gram, grasz, grają? → build from oni/one present (grają → graj).
4. Is it być / mieć? → memorize bądź, miej.
5. Is it a negative command? → nie + imperative, usually with imperfective.