Structure
Examples:
[る1]Verb → 見る + ろ(1)
[る5]Verb → 座る + れ
[う]Verb → 歌う + え
[く]Verb → 歩く + け
[す]Verb → 話す + せ
[つ]Verb → 打つ + て
[ぬ]Verb → 死ぬ + ね
[ぶ]Verb → 飛ぶ + べ
[む]Verb → 休む + め
[ぐ]Verb → 泳ぐ + げ
Exceptions:
する → しろ2
くる → こい
くれる → くれ
(1) よ
(2) せよ
Details
About 命令形
Without particles following it, the imperative form is fairly uncommon in daily life, but will often be seen on traffic signs, posters, or banners. In addition, it can be also heard shouted at demonstrations, when cheering at sports events, or in urgent situations, such as an officer yelling at a suspect to stop.
Verbs are conjugated into the imperative form in the following way. For う-Verbs, simply replace the last kana of any verb with the equivalent え sound kana from the same row. For る-Verbs, replace る with either ろ or よ.
- 道路標識:「止まれ!」Road sign: 'Stop!'
- 警察官:「手を上げろ。」Policeman: Raise your hands!
- 元気出せよ。Cheer up!
- 頑張れよ。Just give it your all!
- テスト:「1・2・3・4から一つ選びなさい。」Test: 'Choose one answer out of 1, 2, 3, and 4.'
- 犬へ:「お座り。」To a dog: 'Sit!'
Examples
私の携帯を返せ!
Give back my cellphone!
もっと飲め!
Drink more!
ゴミはゴミ箱に捨てろ!
Throw away your trash in the trash can!
早く寝ろ!
Sleep already!
先生が「皆静かにしろ!」と言った。
The teacher said, 'Everyone, be quiet!'
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Online
How to make commands
Wasabi Japanese
Making commands
Tae Kim
Imperative
IMABI
Offline
Shin Kanzen Master N3
46
A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
Page 70
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