Grammar · A1 · Imperativ
Imperativ: du / ihr / Sie
Commands and strong requests. Informal du usually drops -st; ihr keeps -t; formal Sie keeps the full verb + Sie. Soften with bitte — or prefer hätte gern / könnten at counters.
Bridges
EN Wait! / Please wait. / Wait here (you all).
PT Espera! / Espere, por favor. / Esperem aqui.
ES ¡Espera! / Espere, por favor. / Esperad aquí.
FR Attends ! / Attendez, s’il vous plaît. / Attendez ici.
Forms: warten
!
Wait! (du)
PT espera! · ES ¡espera! · FR attends !
!
Wait! (ihr)
PT esperem! · ES ¡esperad! · FR attendez ! (vous pl.)
!
Wait! (Sie)
PT espere! · ES ¡espere! · FR attendez !
Forms: More stems + softening
! / !
Come! (du / Sie)
! / !
Take! (du / Sie)
nehmen is irregular
…
please
PT por favor · ES por favor · FR s’il vous plaît
…?
Could you…? (politer)
PT poderia…? · ES ¿podría…? · FR pourriez-vous…?
! / !
Get off! (du / Sie)
Examples
!
Wait a second!
!
Come here!
.
Please get off. (formal / announcement)
.
Have a seat.
.
Give me that, please.
friends only
.
Wait behind the line. (formal)
!
Close the door! (ihr)
Common mistakes
- Using blunt du-Imperativ at Bürgeramt / shops when Sie + bitte or hätte gern is expected.
- Forgetting Sie after the formal form (*Warten!* to a stranger).
- Keeping -st on du (*Wartest!* → Warte!).
- Using Imperativ when a polite question would fit better at a counter.
When you use it in Berlin
Platforms and shops: Steigen Sie hier um. Warten Sie hinter der Linie. Gib mir das bitte (friends only).
Quick check
1/2
Formal command:
___ .
Tap the best answer