Language/Polish/Grammar/The-Imperative-Mood
In this lesson, you will learn how to use the imperative mood in Polish. The imperative mood is used to express commands, advice, and requests. It is important to understand how to use it correctly, as it is commonly used in everyday communication.
Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Subject Verb Object & How to Use Have.
What is the Imperative Mood?
The imperative mood is a grammatical mood used to express a command or request. In English, the imperative is usually formed by using the base form of the verb without the subject. For example, "Listen to the music" or "Please, come here."
In Polish, the imperative is also formed using the base form of the verb, but the form of the verb changes depending on the gender, number, and person of the subject. The imperative form is shorter than the infinitive and it often ends in a vowel.
Regular Imperative Forms
Regular imperatives are formed by taking the appropriate form of the verb for the singular and adding "-j" at the end.
| Polish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| idź | eej | go/walk (sg.) |
| czytaj | chitai | read (sg.) |
| rób | roob | do/make (sg.) |
When forming the imperative for plural, the "-cie" ending is used:
| Polish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| idźcie | eejtche | go/walk (pl.) |
| czytajcie | chitaitche | read (pl.) |
| róbcie | roobtche | do/make (pl.) |
Irregular Imperative Forms
Some verbs have irregular imperatives. Here are some examples:
| Polish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| być (być) | beim | be |
| mieć (mieć) | myetch | have |
| dawać (dać) | davatch | give |
| iść (pójść) | ysch | go (sg.) |
| iść (pójść) | yschmy | go (pl.) |
| wiedzieć (wiedzieć) | vyedzyeitch | know |
Using the Imperative Mood
The imperative mood is commonly used in Polish in the following situations:
- Giving commands: Idź do sklepu (Go to the shop)
- Giving advice: Spróbuj to zrobić (Try to do it)
- Making requests: Proszę powiedzieć mi, co masz na myśli (Please, tell me what you mean)
In Polish, the imperative mood is often used in informal contexts, such as conversations with friends and family. It is important, however, to use it correctly, as it can also be used in formal situations.
Practice Exercises
Now that you understand how to use the imperative mood, it's time to practice! Below are some exercises to help you master this skill.
1. Form the imperative of the following verbs: pić (to drink), jeść (to eat), czytać (to read), uczyć się (to learn). 2. Rewrite the following sentences using the imperative mood: "Mówię cicho" (Speak quietly), "Pomóż mi" (Help me), "Posłuchaj mnie" (Listen to me). 3. Write three imperative sentences for each of the following situations: giving advice, giving a command, and making a request.
Sources
- The Complete Guide to Polish Imperative Verbs
- Imperative (Tryb rozkazujący) - Polish Language Grammar | Course ...
- Polish Grammar - Imperative Mood
Other Lessons
- Possessive Case in Polish
- Give your Opinion
- Negation
- Gender
- Cases
- Plural
- Imperative Mood
- Conditional Sentences
- Questions