The imperative mood expresses a command/request in German. It can also stand for requests, instructions, and advice. It is often directed at one person or several. The form changes depending on the form of address. Punctuation and intonation often determine how harsh or friendly a command sounds.

The you-form is used for addressing one person you address informally. In the singular, the verb stem is usually used, often without an ending. For many verbs there is no ending or only an -e. For separable verbs the prefix stays at the front. The pronoun you (du) is normally not included in the imperative sentence.

In the case of verbs that change e → i or e → ie, the stem often remains the same as in the present tense for you. For some verbs, an additional final consonant is dropped. For haben, sein and werden there are irregular forms. Short imperatives with -e often sound more formal or emphatic.

The you-all form is used for several people you address informally. In the plural, the imperative corresponds to the present-tense form ihr without the pronoun. The ending is usually -t. The pronoun ihr is normally not used in the imperative. The word order remains as in the declarative sentence with the verb at the beginning.

The Sie form is the polite imperative for individuals or groups. It is formed with the infinitive + Sie. The subject Sie remains in the sentence. The sentence often ends with a period or exclamation mark. With bitte, the command sounds more polite.

In the imperative, not is used for negation. Not typically appears in front of the negated part; In separable verbs, the separation remains. A noun with indefinite quantity is not negated. The basic position remains: the imperative form at the beginning of the sentence.

In the imperative, the verb form is usually at the beginning of the sentence. Complements follow the verb. In main clauses, the structure remains clear and direct. For commands without an object, the verb can stand alone. Please can appear flexibly before or after the verb.

The imperative can sound friendly or strict, depending on the formulation. Adding 'bitte' makes the command more polite. A question form often sounds softer than a pure command. Modal verbs such as können or wollen express indirect requests, but they are not imperatives. Punctuation and emphasis change the effect in conversation.

With separable verbs, the prefix is placed at the beginning of the sentence in the imperative. In the you-imperative, the stem often remains without an ending. The separable element is detached in the sentence and placed at the end. In the Sie-form, the construction with the infinitive remains. The meaning is derived from the composite verb.

The imperative has three main forms: du, ihr, and Sie. You typically use the stem, you plural use -t, Sie uses the infinitive + Sie. Do not negate the sentence, and please make the tone more polite. The verb form is typically at the beginning of the sentence.