Japanese grammar
What does 命令形 (imperative form) mean? Japanese grammar N4
命令形 (imperative form) means do ~! (strong command).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V (imperative) |
| Romaji | meirei-kei |
| Meaning | do ~! (strong command) |
Forming it
| Group 1 (godan) | Change the final う-row sound to the え-row: いく → いけ、はしる → はしれ、まつ → まて、のむ → のめ |
|---|---|
| Group 2 (ichidan) | Drop る and add ろ: たべる → たべろ、みる → みろ |
| Group 3 (irregular) | する → しろ、くる → こい |
| Corresponding polite form | ～てください (polite request) or ～なさい (someone above speaking to someone below) |
How to use it
Giving a firm command — used only in very limited situations (emergencies, cheering, signs, casual speech among men).
- The imperative form is the STRONGEST way of speaking in Japanese. It's not simply "do this" like in Vietnamese — it carries a shouting, forceful nuance. Using it in the wrong place is considered extremely rude.
- Situations where it's usable: (1) emergencies, danger — 「危ない！逃げろ！」; (2) cheering in sports — 「頑張れ！」; (3) signs, short slogans — 「止まれ」; (4) men speaking to close friends or people below them; (5) reporting someone else's order.
- Japanese women almost never use the imperative form in everyday life (except 頑張れ when cheering). Foreign learners should treat this as a form for LISTENING and READING comprehension, not one to rush into using.
- Note the exception 来る → 来い (こい) — it doesn't follow any rule and must be memorized separately. する → しろ is the same.
- To ask someone to do something in everyday life, use ～てください; to give a reminder in a superior-to-subordinate way (parent to child, teacher to student), use ～なさい — much gentler than the imperative form.
Examples
危ない！早く逃げろ！
Danger! Run away quickly!
頑張れ！もう少しだ！
Hang in there! Just a little more!
先生は「静かにしろ」と言いました。
The teacher said, "Be quiet."
Keep in mind
- The imperative form appears a lot in manga, anime, and movies — this can easily make learners think it's an everyday form.
- 頑張れ！ and 待て！ are two rare exceptions everyone can use because they've become fixed expressions.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong先生、ちょっと待て。
Teacher, wait a moment.
Correct先生、ちょっと待ってください。
Vietnamese speakers often think "please wait a moment" is a polite sentence and translate it directly into the imperative. Saying this to a teacher is deeply offensive. A normal request always uses ～てください.
-
Wrong早くこっちに来れ。
Hurry up and come here.
Correct早くこっちに来い。
来る is an irregular verb; its imperative form is 来い — it doesn't conjugate by either the group 1 or group 2 rule. It must be memorized separately.
Exam tips
- The JLPT often uses the imperative form inside indirect quotation sentences: 「～と言われました」/「～と書いてあります」.
- Don't confuse the group 1 imperative (行け) with the group 1 potential (行ける) — they differ only by the final る.