Imperative (commands)
Werk sneller! (Work faster!)
What it is
The imperative gives a command, instruction or request. Dutch drops the subject and puts the verb first, usually ending with an exclamation mark.
- Direct commands: Kom hier! (Come here!)
- Instructions and recipes: Voeg twee eieren toe. (Add two eggs.)
- Warnings and requests: Pas op! (Watch out!)
How to form it
Formula: the stem alone for an informal command, or stem + -t with u right after the verb for a formal one:
- Find the stem the same way as the present tense: drop -en from the infinitive. Werken → stem werk.
- The ending depends on how formal the command is. For:
- jij, jullie (informal): the stem alone. Werk!
- u (formal): stem + -t, with u placed right after the verb. Werkt u!
| Form | werken | groeien |
|---|---|---|
| Informal (jij, jullie) | Werk! | Groei! |
| Formal (u) | Werkt u! | Groeit u! |
Spelling: the same stem rules as the present tense
The imperative stem is exactly the stem you already use for the present tense's ik-form, so the same three spelling adjustments apply: a long vowel is written twice, a double consonant is dropped, and v/z become f/s at the end of a word.
| Infinitive | Imperative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| maken | Maak! | to make |
| wonen | Woon! | to live |
| leven | Leef! | to live |
| reizen | Reis! | to travel |
| zitten | Zit! | to sit |
These forms come straight from the verb list our quiz practices.
The one true irregular: zijn
Almost every verb's imperative is just its stem, including hebben (Heb!). The one exception is zijn: the stem would give ben, but the actual imperative is wees.
| Infinitive | Imperative |
|---|---|
| zijn | Wees! |
Common mistakes
Don't put u before the verb the way a normal sentence would. U komt binnen is a statement; the command is Komt u binnen!, with u right after the verb.
Ben! for zijn isn't a real word; the imperative is Wees! (Wees voorzichtig!, be careful!).
Common questions about the imperative
How do I make a command more polite?+
Add alsjeblieft, even or maar: Schrijf het alsjeblieft op (write it down please), Gooi dit even weg (throw this away for a second), Wacht maar op de bus (wait just for the bus).
How do I make a command sound more rushed or direct?+
Add toch or nou eens: Doe het dan zelf toch (do it yourself then), Ga nou eens zitten (go sit down for once).
Is the imperative considered rude in Dutch?+
Not on its own: bare commands are normal for instructions, recipes and warnings. For requests to other people, softening words like alsjeblieft or even keep it polite, and the formal u-form signals extra respect.
Can you add a subject to a Dutch command?+
Yes, for emphasis: Kom jij eens hier (you, come here) singles someone out or adds impatience, which the plain Kom hier! doesn't carry.