Giving commands: the imperative

The imperative (η προστακτική) expresses commands, requests, instructions, and advice.

1. Singular and plural commands

Use the singular when addressing one person informally. Use the plural for several people or when addressing one person politely.

The imperative verb does not change according to the gender of the person addressed.

2. Simple and continuous commands

The simple imperative (συνοπτική προστακτική) presents an action as a whole. The continuous imperative (εξακολουθητική προστακτική) presents it as ongoing or repeated.

The distinction concerns how the action is viewed, not its length: a long task can still take the simple imperative when presented as a whole.

3. Forming the simple imperative

For many active verbs, use the completed-action stem with -ε for the singular and -τε for the plural. This is the stem also used in the simple future: θα γράψω → γραψ- → γράψε / γράψτε.

The stem may differ from the present tense, and the stress may move. Learn the forms together rather than adding endings directly to the present-tense verb.

Verbs ending in -άω / -ώ often use a stem ending in -ησ-:

You will also hear μίλα and ρώτα. Grammatically, these are continuous forms, with plurals μιλάτε and ρωτάτε; in everyday requests they can also refer to a single occasion. Keep them distinct from the simple pairs above.

4. Common irregular forms

5. Negative commands

Use μη(ν) + subjunctive, not δεν + imperative. The subjunctive here appears without να. Use its simple form for an action viewed as a whole and its continuous form for an ongoing or repeated action.

Notice the endings: γράψε becomes μη γράψεις, while γράφε becomes μη γράφεις.

6. Object pronouns with commands

• με — me
• το — it
• μου — to me

With positive imperatives, unstressed object pronouns follow the verb. With negative commands, they come before it.

An extra accent

When the verb is stressed on its third-to-last syllable, an unstressed pronoun after it adds a second accent on the verb’s last syllable: βοήθησε → βοήθησέ με.

7. Polite requests

• παρακαλώ — please
• πιο αργά — more slowly

Use the plural form when addressing someone politely. Add παρακαλώ to a request.

8. Practice exercises

Translate into Greek. Address one person informally unless otherwise indicated.

1. Close the door. (To several people.)

2. Come in!

3. Write every day. (To several people; a repeated action.)

4. Don’t close the door. (One particular action.)

5. Don’t write every day. (To several people; a repeated action.)

6. Help me, please!

7. Give me some water.

8. Don’t give me water. (One particular action.)

9. Please speak more slowly.

10. Drink some water. (To several people.)