How to use

Imperatives in Russian are verb forms used to give commands, orders, or instructions. They are used when you want to tell someone to do something or not to do something.

There are two types of imperatives in Russian. The singular form is used to give a command to only one person in informal speech. The plural form is used for a group of people or one person in a polite style.

In addition to giving affirmative commands, imperatives can also be used to give negative commands by adding the word не before the verb.

How to form

The best way to construct an imperative form is to derive the stem from the second-person singular present tense form. Any irregularities will be noted if they exist.

• If the stem of the verb ends in a vowel, then the suffix -й is added to it. To make a plural or polite form, just add the ending -те to the singular imperative.
  • Давать — даёшь — дай — дайте
• If the stem ends in a consonant, then the suffix -и is added to it. To make a plural or polite form, add the ending -те to the singular imperative.
  • Сказать — скажешь — скажи — скажите

Remember that the final form doesn't explicitly include the pronoun ты (you). Instead, it directly addresses the person being commanded.