> Affirmative commands in German, including formation rules and examples for du, ihr, and Sie forms.
Affirmative commands in German are used to tell someone to do something. They are formed differently depending on the subject pronoun (du, ihr, Sie) and whether the verb is regular, irregular, or reflexive. This article covers the rules and examples for each case.
1. Formation Rules
1.1. du-Form
- Use the verb stem (infinitive minus -en or -n).
- Drop the pronoun.
- Often drop the final -st (from the du conjugation).
- Add -e if the stem ends in -d, -t, -m, -n, or if the verb is monosyllabic or irregular for ease of pronunciation.
1.2. ihr-Form
- Use the present tense ihr form of the verb.
- Drop the pronoun ihr.
- No additional ending is added.
1.3. Sie-Form
- Use the infinitive form of the verb.
- Add "Sie" after the verb.
- This form is always polite/formal and used for strangers, superiors, or groups.
2. Reflexive Verbs
- Follow the same rules as above.
- Always include the reflexive pronoun:
- du: dich
- ihr: euch
- Sie: sich
3. Examples
1.1. du-Form
| Infinitive | Command | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| machen | Mach! | Mach das Fenster auf! | Open the window! |
| lesen | Lies! | Lies das Buch! | Read the book! |
| schlafen | Schlaf! | Schlaf jetzt! | Sleep now! |
1.2. ihr-Form
| Infinitive | Command | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| spielen | Spielt! | Spielt draußen! | Play outside! |
| warten | Wartet! | Wartet hier! | Wait here! |
| arbeiten | Arbeitet! | Arbeitet zusammen! | Work together! |
1.3. Sie-Form
| Infinitive | Command | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| kommen | Kommen Sie! | Kommen Sie bitte rein! | Please come in! |
| schreiben | Schreiben Sie! | Schreiben Sie Ihren Namen! | Write your name! |
| helfen | Helfen Sie! | Helfen Sie mir bitte! | Please help me! |
1.4. Reflexive Verbs
| Infinitive | Command | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| sich setzen | Setz dich! (du) | Setz dich! | Sit down! |
| sich beeilen | Beeilt euch! (ihr) | Beeilt euch! | Hurry up! |
| sich erinnern | Erinnern Sie sich! (Sie) | Erinnern Sie sich an den Termin! | Remember the appointment! |
4. Spelling/Pronunciation Tips
4.1. Add -e
Add -e in du-commands if the stem ends in -d, -t, -m, or -n, or if the verb is monosyllabic to aid pronunciation.
| Infinitive | Command | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| arbeiten | Arbeite! | Arbeite jetzt! | Work now! |
| atmen | Atme! | Atme tief! | Breathe deeply! |
| wenden | Wende! | Wende das Blatt! | Turn the page! |
4.2. umlaut Changes
Some irregular verbs change the vowel in du-commands (a → ä, e → i or ie).
| Infinitive | Command | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| fahren | Fahr! / Fähr! | Fahr vorsichtig! | Drive carefully! |
| geben | Gib! | Gib mir das Buch! | Give me the book! |
| sehen | Sieh! | Sieh mal! | Look! |
5. Summary
- du: verb stem, drop pronoun, usually no ending, sometimes add -e.
- ihr: use ihr present form, drop pronoun.
- Sie: infinitive + Sie.
- Reflexive: include reflexive pronoun after command.
- Irregulars: watch for umlaut and vowel changes in du-form.
Understanding these rules will help you confidently give commands in German!
Last updated: Sat May 31, 2025
