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French Imperative Mood Overview
The French imperative mood (impératif) is used to give commands, instructions, suggestions, and advice. It's the equivalent of the English imperative and is essential for everyday communication.
The imperative has only three forms: tu (informal singular), nous (we/let's), and vous (formal singular or plural). The subject pronouns are omitted.
Examples
Parle plus fort!
Speak louder! (informal)
Parlons français!
Let's speak French!
Parlez lentement, s'il vous plaît.
Speak slowly, please. (formal)
Imperative Formation
The imperative is formed by taking the present tense forms and dropping the subject pronouns. For -er verbs, also drop the final -s from the tu form.
Formula: Present tense - subject pronoun (- s for -er verbs in tu form)
Regular -ER Verbs
For -ER verbs, drop the subject pronoun and the final -s from the tu form:
Parler (to speak) - Imperative
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tu form | Parle! | Speak! (informal) |
| nous form | Parlons! | Let's speak! |
| vous form | Parlez! | Speak! (formal/plural) |
Écoute bien!
Listen carefully! (écouter)
Regardons ce film!
Let's watch this movie! (regarder)
Mangez vos légumes!
Eat your vegetables! (manger)
Regular -IR and -RE Verbs
For -IR and -RE verbs, simply drop the subject pronouns (keep the -s in tu form):
Finir (to finish) - Imperative
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tu form | Finis! | Finish! (informal) |
| nous form | Finissons! | Let's finish! |
| vous form | Finissez! | Finish! (formal/plural) |
Choisis une couleur!
Choose a color! (choisir)
Attendons l'autobus!
Let's wait for the bus! (attendre)
Vendez votre voiture!
Sell your car! (vendre)
Irregular Imperative Verbs
Some common verbs have irregular imperative forms that must be memorized:
Most Common Irregular Imperatives
These verbs have completely irregular imperative forms:
Irregular Imperative Forms
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| être (to be) | Sois! Soyons! Soyez! | Be! |
| avoir (to have) | Aie! Ayons! Ayez! | Have! |
| savoir (to know) | Sache! Sachons! Sachez! | Know! |
| vouloir (to want) | — Veuillons! Veuillez! | Please (formal) |
Sois patient!
Be patient!
Ayez confiance!
Have confidence!
Sachez que je vous comprends.
Know that I understand you.
Veuillez patienter.
Please wait. (very formal)
Negative Imperative
To make the imperative negative, place ne before the verb and pas (or other negative words) after it:
Formula: Ne + imperative verb + pas
The structure is the same for all three forms of the imperative.
Examples
Ne parle pas si fort!
Don't speak so loudly!
Ne mangeons pas maintenant!
Let's not eat now!
Ne partez pas sans moi!
Don't leave without me!
N'oublie jamais ça!
Never forget that!
Imperative with Pronouns
When using object pronouns with the imperative, their position changes:
Affirmative: Verb + pronoun(s) with hyphens
Negative: Pronouns before the verb (normal position)
Note: Me and te become moi and toi in affirmative imperatives.
Examples
Donne-moi le livre!
Give me the book! (affirmative)
Ne me donne pas le livre!
Don't give me the book! (negative)
Lève-toi!
Get up! (reflexive)
Ne te lève pas!
Don't get up! (negative reflexive)
Donnez-le-lui!
Give it to him/her! (two pronouns)
Uses of the Imperative
The French imperative is used in various situations:
1. Direct commands: Giving orders or instructions
2. Suggestions: Making recommendations (especially with nous)
3. Advice: Offering guidance
4. Invitations: Inviting someone to do something
5. Warnings: Alerting someone to danger
6. Recipes/Instructions: Step-by-step directions
Examples
Fermez la porte!
Close the door! (direct command)
Allons au cinéma!
Let's go to the movies! (suggestion)
Repose-toi bien!
Rest well! (advice)
Venez dîner chez nous!
Come have dinner at our place! (invitation)
Attention! Ne touchez pas!
Warning! Don't touch! (warning)
Polite Imperatives
To make imperatives more polite, you can:
1. Add "s'il vous plaît": Please (formal)
2. Add "s'il te plaît": Please (informal)
3. Use conditional instead: "Pourriez-vous..." (Could you...)
4. Use "Veuillez": Very formal "please"
5. Add softening expressions: "Si vous voulez bien..." (If you would...)
Examples
Fermez la fenêtre, s'il vous plaît.
Close the window, please.
Aide-moi, s'il te plaît.
Help me, please. (informal)
Veuillez patienter un moment.
Please wait a moment. (very formal)
Si vous voulez bien me suivre...
If you would please follow me...
Common Imperative Expressions
Here are frequently used imperative expressions in French:
Daily life: Allez-y! (Go ahead!), Dépêche-toi! (Hurry up!)
Politeness: Excusez-moi (Excuse me), Pardonnez-moi (Forgive me)
Encouragement: Courage! (Courage!), Vas-y! (Go for it!)
Instructions: Écoutez bien (Listen carefully), Regardez (Look)
These expressions are essential for natural French conversation.
Examples
Allez-y, je vous écoute!
Go ahead, I'm listening!
Dépêche-toi, nous sommes en retard!
Hurry up, we're late!
Excusez-moi, où est la gare?
Excuse me, where is the train station?
Vas-y, tu peux le faire!
Go for it, you can do it!
Regardez cette belle vue!
Look at this beautiful view!