Imperativ mit *du* — regelmäßige & unregelmäßige Verben
A2 German grammar — Imperative. **Regular pattern:** Take the **du**-form in the present, **remove *-st***. Often you **drop the final *-e***: *du mach*…
Rule explained
**Regular pattern:** Take the **du**-form in the present, **remove *-st***. Often you **drop the final *-e***: *du mach**st*** → *Mach!* You **may** keep *-e* for clarity or rhythm (*Arbeite!*, *Öffne!*). **Vowel change in *du*:** If the present has a change (*du gib**st***, *du li**e**st*), the imperative keeps it: *Gib!*, *Lies!* **Separable verbs:** Finite part first, **prefix at the end**: *Mach das Licht **an**!* *Ruf mich **an**!* **Reflexive verbs:** Drop *du*, keep the reflexive pronoun: *Beeil **dich**!* *Setz **dich**!*
Examples
Use these mini-pairs as templates:
- Lies das Buch! — Read the book! (*lesen* → *lies*)
- Nimm den Bus! — Take the bus! (*nehmen* → *nimm*)
- Öffne das Fenster! — Open the window! (*Öffne!* with *-e* is natural here)
- Ruf mich an! — Call me! (separable *anrufen*)
- Hör mir zu! — Listen to me! (separable *zuhören*)
- Sieh dir den Film an! — Watch the film! (*sich etwas ansehen*)
Common mistakes
Watch out for these learner errors:
- *essen* → *Iss!* (not *Es!* or *Isst!*). *trinken* → *Trink!*
- Separable verbs: **never** put the prefix right after the verb in imperatives: *Anruf mich!* ❌ → *Ruf mich an!* ✓
- *du* stays **out** of the sentence: *Du mach das!* ❌ → *Mach das!* ✓