命令形 (imperative)

• Reading: めいれいけい
• Romaji: meireikei
• Formation: Godan: Verb -u → -e (飲む→飲め) / Ichidan: Verb -ru → -ro (食べる→食べろ) / Negative: Verb dictionary form + な
• Kanji breakdown: 命令 (command) + 形 (form)

Meaning

The imperative form of a verb is used to give direct commands. It is a blunt, forceful expression typically used in urgent situations, by superiors, or in masculine casual speech.

Japanese has a dedicated verb conjugation for commands: the imperative form (命令形). For godan verbs, the final -u becomes -e (飲む→飲め); for ichidan verbs, -ru becomes -ro (食べる→食べろ). The imperative is considered very direct and can sound rude in normal conversation. It is most commonly heard in emergencies, sports coaching, military contexts, or rough masculine speech. Women and polite speakers typically avoid it in favour of てください or て-form requests. Negative commands use the dictionary form + な (行くな 'don't go'). Some set phrases like がんばれ (do your best) are socially acceptable imperatives.

Examples

1. もっと早く走れ！ Run faster!
2. ここに座れ。 Sit here.
3. 黙って聞け。 Shut up and listen.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, sports, emergencies

Tone: commanding

Do Say

• 最後まであきらめるな！
• すぐにここから出ろ！
• がんばれ、あと少しだ！

Don't Say

• 先生、これを読め。(Using imperative toward a teacher is extremely rude) → 先生、これを読んでください。
• すみません、ここに来い。(Mixing polite すみません with the blunt imperative is contradictory) → すみません、ここに来てください。
• お母さん、早く作れ。(Using imperative toward a parent sounds disrespectful) → お母さん、早く作って。

Origin & History

The imperative form descends from the classical Japanese 命令形, one of the six fundamental verb conjugation categories that have existed since Old Japanese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal