Imperative

(Intermediate ㊥ 70)

Verb forms which indicate commands or requests.

Equivalent: (don't) V.; No -ing; (not) to V

もうよせよ。
Stop it now.
ここには十二月三十一日までに払えと書いてある。
It says here to pay before December 31.
黙れ！
Shut up!
動くな！
Don't move!
山中首相は即時退陣せよ！[A demonstrator's placard]
Yamanaka must go! (literally: Prime Minister Yamanaka must leave his office immediately!)
次の分を英訳せよ。[An examination direction]
Translate the following sentences into English.
次の質問に答えよ。[An examination direction]
Answer the following questions.
乗るなら飲むな。飲んだら乗るな。
If you drive, don't drink. If you drink, don't drive.
現金は送るなと書いてある。
It says (literally: is written) not to send cash.
課長にあまりタクシーは使うなと言われた。
I was told by my boss not to use taxis often.

Formation

(i) Group 1 verbs Vconditional Affirmative
  書け Write!
(ii) Group 2 verbs Vstem {ろ (spoken)/ よ(written)} Affirmative
  答えろ Answer!
  答えよ Answer!
(iii) Irregular verbs   Affirmative
  来い Come!
  しろ Do! (spoken)
  せよ Do (written)
(iv) Vinformal nonpast な Negative
  話すな Don’t talk!
  食べるな Don’t eat!

Notes