{"id":127,"date":"2024-01-01T14:46:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T14:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/?p=127"},"modified":"2026-06-08T08:49:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T07:49:21","slug":"der-imperativ-ihr-und-du","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/01\/der-imperativ-ihr-und-du\/","title":{"rendered":"Der Imperativ (ihr und du)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h2 data-path-to-node=\"3\">The German Imperative: How to Give Commands (A1 Guide)<\/h2>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4\">Do you want to tell someone &#8220;Go!&#8221; or &#8220;Listen!&#8221; in German? You need the <b data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"71\">Imperativ<\/b> (the imperative). It is the form we use for commands, rules, and quick requests.<\/p>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\">For A1 learners, we will focus on the two most important forms: talking to <b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"75\">one friend (du)<\/b> and talking to <b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"106\">two or more friends (ihr)<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"6\">1. Talking to One Friend (du)<\/h3>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7\">When you speak to one person you know well (like a friend, a child, or a family member), follow this easy rule:<\/p>\r\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"8\">\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\">Take the normal verb (like <i data-path-to-node=\"8,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"27\">gehen<\/i> &#8211; to go).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\">Remove the <b data-path-to-node=\"8,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"11\">-en<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8,2,0\">Do <b data-path-to-node=\"8,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"3\">not<\/b> use the word &#8220;du&#8221;.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<table data-path-to-node=\"9\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Infinitive Verb<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Imperativ (du)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>English Meaning<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,1,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">gehen<\/b> (to go)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,1,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Geh!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,1,2,0\">Go!<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,2,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,2,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">machen<\/b> (to do\/make)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,2,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Mach!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,2,2,0\">Do it! \/ Make!<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,3,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,3,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">trinken<\/b> (to drink)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,3,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,3,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Trink!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"9,3,2,0\">Drink!<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<blockquote data-path-to-node=\"10\">\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"10,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">A1 Example:<\/b> &#8220;Geh nach Hause!&#8221; (Go home!)<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"11\">2. Talking to More Friends (ihr)<\/h3>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"12\">When you speak to a group of friends, the rule is even easier. It is just the normal <i data-path-to-node=\"12\" data-index-in-node=\"85\">ihr<\/i>-form of the verb, but you drop the word &#8220;ihr&#8221;.<\/p>\r\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"13\">\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\">Take the normal verb.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,1,0\">Add a <b data-path-to-node=\"13,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"6\">-t<\/b> to the stem.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<table data-path-to-node=\"14\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Infinitive Verb<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Imperativ (ihr)<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>English Meaning<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,1,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">gehen<\/b> (to go)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,1,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Geht!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,1,2,0\">Go! (plural)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,2,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,2,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">machen<\/b> (to do\/make)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,2,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Macht!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,2,2,0\">Do it! (plural)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,3,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,3,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">trinken<\/b> (to drink)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,3,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"14,3,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Trinkt!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"14,3,2,0\">Drink! (plural)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<blockquote data-path-to-node=\"15\">\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"15,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"15,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">A1 Example:<\/b> &#8220;Geht nach Hause!&#8221; (Go home, everyone!)<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"17\">Special Verb: &#8220;sein&#8221; (to be)<\/h3>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"18\">The verb <i data-path-to-node=\"18\" data-index-in-node=\"9\">sein<\/i> is special and irregular. It is very important for daily life, so it is best to just memorize these two forms:<\/p>\r\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"19\">\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"19,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"19,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Sei p\u00fcnktlich!<\/b> = Be on time! (to one friend)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"19,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"19,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Seid p\u00fcnktlich!<\/b> = Be on time! (to a group of friends)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"21\">Grammar Check: Short &amp; Simple<\/h3>\r\n<table data-path-to-node=\"22\">\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Type<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>German Example<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>English Translation<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"22,1,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"22,1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Singular (du)<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"22,1,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"22,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Lern Deutsch!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"22,1,2,0\">Study German!<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"22,2,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"22,2,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Plural (ihr)<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"22,2,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"22,2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Lernt Deutsch!<\/b><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"22,2,2,0\">Study German! (all of you)<\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"24\">Important Cultural Note!<\/h3>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"25\">In Germany, the Imperativ can sound very direct or a bit bossy. If you want to be extra polite to your friends, just add the word <b data-path-to-node=\"25\" data-index-in-node=\"130\">bitte<\/b> (please).<\/p>\r\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"26\">\r\n<li>\r\n<p data-path-to-node=\"26,0,0\"><i data-path-to-node=\"26,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Example:<\/i> <b data-path-to-node=\"26,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"9\">&#8220;Trink bitte dein Wasser.&#8221;<\/b> (Please drink your water.)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The German Imperative: How to Give Commands (A1 Guide) Do you want to tell someone &#8220;Go!&#8221; or &#8220;Listen!&#8221; in German? You need the Imperativ (the imperative). It is the form we use for commands, rules, and quick requests. For A1 learners, we will focus on the two most important forms: talking to one friend (du) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a1-grammar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2022,"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127\/revisions\/2022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nur-deutsch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}