Imperative in Italian

The imperative is used to give orders or commands and corresponds with the present indicative.

E.g.:

Sii buono! / Be good!

Fai il bravo! / Behave!

Non dirlo a nessuno! / Don't tell anyone!

Di la verità! / Tell the truth!

Abbiate pazienza! / Be patient!

Fate piano / Take your time!

Mangia tutto / Eat everything!

Dormite! / Sleep!

Leggete da pag. 1 a pag. 20! / Read from page 1 to page 20!

The Imperative of the verbs mangiare, credere e partire.

The Imperative of the verbs essere e avere.

N.B. The imperative of the first person plural noi (we) is not an order but an exhultation. E.g:

Mangiamo una bella pizza! / Let's eat a nice pizza!

When there is a negative command, we use the infinitive.
E.g.:

Non fumare / Don't smoke!
Non disturbare / Do not disturb!
Non toccare / Don't touch!

 

See also:

Italian Imperative Form Video Exercise Complete the song with the correct verb in the imperative form.

Italian Course: Unit 6 The imperative

Italian Course: Unit 24 The negative imperative