other N4 common casualwrittenliterary
命令形 — the imperative
命令形 ・ めいれいけい
Meaning
- the imperative form — a blunt, direct command: 'do ~!'
Key sentence
早く来い。
Come here, now!
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (by class) | godan: final -u → -e (行く→行け); ichidan: stem + ろ (食べる→食べろ); する→しろ／せよ; 来る→来い | 待て / 見ろ / 止まれ |
When: Rough and forceful — used almost only by men, in anger, emergencies, sports and military orders, slogans, and quoted commands. It is rude as a request; for asking someone politely, use 〜てください instead.
Examples
「止まれ!」と警官が叫んだ。
"Stop!" the officer shouted.
危ない、早く逃げろ!
It's dangerous — run, quick!
頑張れ、もう少しだ!
Go for it, you're almost there!
Easily confused with
〜てください The imperative 命令形 barks an order (待て = 'wait!'). 〜てください is the ordinary polite request (待ってください = 'please wait'). Same instruction, opposite politeness. 〜なさい 〜なさい (待ちなさい) is a softer, gentler command used by parents and teachers to those below them; the bare 命令形 (待て) is much harsher and more confrontational.
Notes
- せよ is the literary/written imperative of する, seen in formal instructions and signs (注意せよ). 頑張れ-type forms are also the standard way to cheer someone on.
See 命令形 in real sentences
Jengo shows 命令形 the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar.