A1 · Principiante Capítulo 29

Giving Commands

6 Reglas totales
60 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power to lead, guide, and instruct others using the Arabic imperative mood.

  • Form basic commands from three-letter verb roots.
  • Adapt your instructions based on who you are talking to.
  • Master the subtle suffix changes for groups and pairs.
Command the room and lead the way in Arabic!

Lo que aprenderás

Hey there! Ready to learn how to tell people what to do in Arabic? In this exciting chapter, we're diving into the world of Arabic imperative verbs, so you can confidently give commands and instructions. We'll start with simple examples like 'write' (اُکتُب) and 'drink' (اِشرَب), and you'll quickly see how easy it is to transform regular verbs into powerful commands. Then, you'll discover how to precisely direct your commands: whether you're addressing a single man (اِفعَل), a woman (اِفعَلی), two people (اِفعَلا), or even a group of women (اُکتُبنَ) or men (اِفعَلوا). All these variations come with small, logical changes to the verb, much like pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly together. Imagine you're in a bustling market in Marrakech, wanting to say 'Look here!' (اُنظُر هُنا), or in a friendly gathering, wanting to say 'Listen up, everyone!' (اِسمَعوا). These practical skills will empower you to communicate clearly and swiftly in everyday situations. Don't worry, this part is easier than you think and will give you a huge confidence boost. Let's conquer Arabic together!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to form the basic masculine singular command for any regular verb.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to distinguish between masculine and feminine commands in spoken Arabic.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to address a group of people with the correct plural imperative suffix.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Welcome to an exciting journey into Arabic grammar A1! In this chapter, we're unlocking the power of Arabic imperative verbs, giving you the tools to confidently give commands and instructions in Arabic. This is a fundamental skill for any beginner learner at the CEFR A1 level, and mastering it will significantly boost your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations.
Forget complex conjugations for a moment; we're focusing on direct, actionable language.
Understanding how to form and use commands in Arabic is incredibly practical. Whether you're asking for help, giving directions, or simply encouraging someone, these verbs are your go-to. We'll start with simple, high-frequency examples like اُکتُب (uktub - write!) and اِشرَب (ishrab - drink!), showing you just how straightforward it is to transform a regular verb into a powerful instruction.
This guide is designed to make learning giving commands in Arabic intuitive and fun, laying a solid foundation for more advanced studies.
By the end of this chapter, you’ll not only recognize Arabic imperative verbs but also be able to use them with precision. Imagine yourself confidently saying 'Look here!' (اُنظُر هُنا) in a bustling market or 'Listen up, everyone!' (اِسمَعوا) in a friendly gathering. These practical skills will empower you to interact more authentically and quickly in Arabic-speaking environments, proving that learning A1 Arabic can be immediately rewarding.

How This Grammar Works

At its heart, Arabic imperative verbs are all about telling someone to do something. Unlike English, where we often just use the base form of the verb (e.g., go, eat), Arabic verbs change their form based on who you're addressing: a single man, a single woman, two people, or a group. This chapter covers the Imperative Mood in Arabic, showing you how these crucial transformations work.
Let's break down the different forms, starting with the basic Giving Commands (Masculine). For a single male, the imperative usually begins with an 'i' or 'u' sound (often from a hamzat al-waṣl) followed by the root letters. For example, from the verb كَتَبَ (kataba - he wrote), we get اُکتُب (uktub - write!
[to a man]). Similarly, from شَرِبَ (shariba - he drank), it becomes اِشرَب (ishrab - drink! [to a man]).
Next, for Arabic Imperative: Giving Commands to a Woman, we simply add a ي (yā') sound at the end. So, اُکتُب (uktub) becomes اُکتُبی (uktubī - write! [to a woman]), and اِشرَب (ishrab) becomes اِشرَبی (ishrabī - drink!
[to a woman]). This small change makes a big difference in addressing someone correctly.
When you're talking to two people, regardless of gender, you use the Commands for Two People (Dual Imperative). Here, an ا (alif) is added to the end. So, اُکتُب (uktub) transforms into اُکتُبا (uktubā - write!
[to two people]), and اِشرَب (ishrab) becomes اِشرَبا (ishrabā - drink! [to two people]).
For a group of men, or a mixed group, we use the Arabic Group Commands: Addressing 'You All' (-ū). This involves adding a وا (wāw alif) to the end. So, اُکتُب (uktub) becomes اُکتُبوا (uktubū - write!
[to men/group]), and اِشرَب (ishrab) becomes اِشرَبوا (ishrabū - drink! [to men/group]).
Finally, for Commands for Women: Plural (Uktubna), when addressing a group of only women, we add نَ (nūnal-niswa) to the end. This makes اُکتُب (uktub) become اُکتُبنَ (uktubna - write! [to women]), and اِشرَب (ishrab) becomes اِشرَبنَ (ishrabna - drink!
[to women]). These logical additions are like puzzle pieces, ensuring your command is precise and respectful.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: اِشرَبُ (ishrabu)
✓ Correct: اِشرَب (ishrab)
*Explanation:* The imperative singular masculine form does not end with a dammah (ُ). It should have a sukoon (ْ) on the last letter, indicating the command form.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: اُکتُبين (uktubīn)
✓ Correct: اُکتُبی (uktubī)
*Explanation:* When commanding a single woman, the correct ending is a long 'ī' sound, represented by the letter ي (yā'), not ين (yā' nūn). The ن (nūn) is dropped in the imperative.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: اِجلِسوا (ijlisū) for two people
✓ Correct: اِجلِسا (ijlisā)
*Explanation:* The وا (wāw alif) ending is for a group of men or mixed group. For two people (dual), the correct ending is ا (alif).

Real Conversations

A

A

يا أحمَد، اِجلِس هُنا. (Yā Aḥmad, ijlis hunā.)
B

B

شُكراً يا أُستاذ. (Shukran yā ustādh.)

(A: Ahmed, sit here.

B

B

Thank you, teacher.)
A

A

مريم، اِشرَبي الشاي الساخن. (Maryam, ishrabī ash-shāy as-sākhin.)
B

B

حسناً، سأشرب. (Ḥasanan, sa-ashrab.)

(A: Maryam, drink the hot tea.

B

B

Okay, I will drink.)
A

A

يا أولاد، اِذهَبوا إلى الباب. (Yā awlād, idhhabū ilā al-bāb.)
B

B

نعم يا أبي. (Naʿam yā abī.)

(A: Children, go to the door.

B

B

Yes, father.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I form the imperative verb in Arabic from a root?

You generally take the present tense form addressing you (masculine singular), drop the initial ta- prefix, and adjust the end vowel/add a prefix vowel (hamzat al-wasl) and suffix (for gender/number).

Q

Are there irregular imperative verbs in Arabic?

Yes, like in many languages, some verbs, especially those with weak letters (wāw, alif, yā'), have slight irregularities in their imperative forms, but the core patterns for gender/number usually remain.

Q

What's the difference between commanding a man and a woman in Arabic?

To command a man (singular), the verb ends with a sukoon (or a deleted weak letter). To command a woman (singular), you add a ي (yā') to the end, resulting in an 'ī' sound.

Q

Can I use imperative verbs for polite requests in Arabic?

While they are direct commands, the tone of voice, context, and adding words like مِن فَضلِك (min faḍlik - please) can soften them into polite requests.

Cultural Context

In Arabic-speaking cultures, using imperative verbs is common and generally accepted, especially in familiar contexts or when giving clear instructions. However, politeness is highly valued. While direct commands like اِذهَب (idhhab - go!) are grammatically correct, adding مِن فَضلِك (min faḍlik - please [to a man]) or مِن فَضلِكِ (min faḍliki - please [to a woman]) is always recommended in formal or less familiar situations to maintain respect and courtesy.
The choice of ending (for gender and number) is also a sign of respect and proper address.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

uktub risaala(tan) li-Sadiiqika.

Escribe un mensaje a tu amigo.

Imperativo: ¡Dile a la gente qué hacer! (uktub, ishrab)
2

ishrabii al-maa'a, anti ta'baana.

Bebe el agua, estás cansada.

Imperativo: ¡Dile a la gente qué hacer! (uktub, ishrab)
3

Iftaḥ al-bāb min faḍlik.

Abre la puerta por favor.

Dar órdenes (Masculino): '¡Haz esto!' (if'al)
4

Unẓur ilā hādhihi al-ṣūrah!

¡Mira esta foto!

Dar órdenes (Masculino): '¡Haz esto!' (if'al)
5

اِجْلِسِي `ijlisī`

Siéntate aquí, por favor.

Imperativo en árabe: Dar órdenes a una mujer
6

اِفْتَحِي `iftaḥī`

Laila, abre la puerta.

Imperativo en árabe: Dar órdenes a una mujer
7

يا شَباب، اشْرَبُوا العَصير!

¡Chicos, beban el jugo!

Mandatos grupales en árabe: dirigirse a todos (-ū)
8

تَابِعُوا حِسابِي على إنستغرام.

¡Sigan mi cuenta en Instagram!

Mandatos grupales en árabe: dirigirse a todos (-ū)

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

La Regla del 'Por favor'

Las órdenes en árabe son directas. Para no sonar mandón, siempre añade 'min faDlik' (por favor) cuando hables con extraños o personas mayores. Por ejemplo: «اِجْلِسْ هُنا مِنْ فَضْلِكَ» (Siéntate aquí, por favor).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativo: ¡Dile a la gente qué hacer! (uktub, ishrab)
💡

Piensa: 'Quita el "tú"'

Es como si simplemente quitaras el prefijo 'tú' (تَـ) del verbo en presente para crear una orden directa. ¡Así de fácil! De «تَكْتُبُ» se convierte en «اُكْتُبْ».
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dar órdenes (Masculino): '¡Haz esto!' (if'al)
💡

Escucha el Sonido 'ii'

Cuando veas series o películas árabes, presta atención cuando un personaje masculino le hable a una mujer. Intenta captar ese sonido final 'ii' en los verbos de mandato. ¡Es una forma genial de entrenar tu oído! Por ejemplo, «اِفْتَحِي الْبَابَ!» (iftaḥī al-bāba!) - '¡Abre la puerta!'
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativo en árabe: Dar órdenes a una mujer
💡

La regla del "ustedes"

Si hay al menos un hombre en el grupo, usa siempre la forma masculina plural. Es la más común en el día a día. «يا شَباب، اذْهَبُوا!»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mandatos grupales en árabe: dirigirse a todos (-ū)

Vocabulario clave (6)

كَتَبَ to write (kataba) شَرِبَ to drink (shariba) دَخَلَ to enter (dakhala) خَرَجَ to exit (kharaja) جَلَسَ to sit (jalasa) قَرَأَ to read (qara'a)

Real-World Preview

school

At the Language School

Review Summary

  • Alif + Root + Sukun
  • Alif + Root + ī
  • Alif + Root + ū

Errores comunes

Learners often forget to remove the present tense prefix 'ta-' and add the initial Alif.

Wrong: تَكْتُب (Taktub)
Correcto: اُكْتُب (Uktub)

Using the feminine suffix '-ī' when addressing a male subject.

Wrong: اِجْلِسِي يَا أَحْمَد (Ijlisī yā Ahmad)
Correcto: اِجْلِس يَا أَحْمَد (Ijlis yā Ahmad)

Shortening the feminine plural suffix incorrectly or forgetting the Sukun on the final root letter.

Wrong: اُكْتُبُن (Uktubun)
Correcto: اُكْتُبْنَ (Uktubna)

Next Steps

You've just gained a massive amount of communicative power! Being able to direct actions is a huge milestone in your Arabic journey. Keep practicing these forms with friends—they'll be impressed by your accuracy!

Mirror Talk: Give yourself 5 different commands in the mirror.

Recipe Writing: Write 3 steps for making tea using imperative verbs.

Continue to: Saying 'Don't' and Setting Conditions

Práctica rápida (10)

Completa el espacio con la forma correcta de 'escribir' (orden).

يا أحمد، ___ الدرس.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اُكْتُبْ
اُكْتُبْ es la forma imperativa (orden) masculina singular del verbo 'escribir'. La usas para decirle a una persona masculina, Ahmed, que escriba.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dar órdenes (Masculino): '¡Haz esto!' (if'al)

¿Qué orden es correcta para un grupo de personas?

___ (Escuchen) al profesor!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: isma'uu
El sufijo '-uu' indica el plural masculino/mixto. 'isma'' es singular masculino, 'isma'ii' es singular femenino.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativo: ¡Dile a la gente qué hacer! (uktub, ishrab)

El grupo es todo femenino, pero el hablante usó el género incorrecto.

Find and fix the mistake:

يَا فَتَيَات، اُدْخُلُوا الغُرْفَة.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: يَا فَتَيَات، اُدْخُلْنَ الغُرْفَة.
'Udhkhulū' es plural masculino. Como nos dirigimos a 'fatayāt' (mujeres jóvenes), debemos usar 'Udhkhulna'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Órdenes para mujeres: Plural (Uktubna)

Encuentra el error en esta orden.

Find and fix the mistake:

Idhhabuu ilaa al-suuq. (Dirigiéndose a un hombre)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Idhhab ilaa al-suuq.
Si te diriges a un solo hombre, usamos la forma singular masculina 'Idhhab'. 'Idhhabuu' es plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativo: ¡Dile a la gente qué hacer! (uktub, ishrab)

Completa el comando: '___ (Vayan) a la universidad!' dirigiéndote a un grupo de mujeres.

___ إِلَى الجَامِعَة! (Raíz: dh-h-b)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اِذْهَبْنَ
La raíz es dh-h-b. La forma imperativa para 'ustedes (f)' añade el prefijo 'i-' y el sufijo '-na'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Órdenes para mujeres: Plural (Uktubna)

Convierte el verbo al modo imperativo.

Ya Ahmed, ___ (escribir) tu nombre aquí.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: uktub
Le estamos diciendo a Ahmed que haga algo. Necesitamos el imperativo 'uktub' (¡Escribe!). 'Yaktubu' es 'él escribe'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativo: ¡Dile a la gente qué hacer! (uktub, ishrab)

¿Qué frase es una orden correcta para '¡Escriban la lección!'?

Elige la orden correcta para un grupo:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اكْتُبُوا الدَّرْس
El imperativo masculino plural debe terminar en '-ū' con una Alif silenciosa.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Mandatos grupales en árabe: dirigirse a todos (-ū)

Selecciona la oración correcta para dirigirte a dos amigos.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ya Ali wa Omar, ijlisaa huna.
Ali y Omar son dos personas, así que debemos usar el imperativo dual 'ijlisaa'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Órdenes para dos personas (Imperativo Dual)

Dile a tu amiga Sara que escriba la lección.

يَا سَارَة، ... الدَّرْسَ.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اُكْتُبِي
Porque le estás hablando a Sara, una sola mujer, debes usar la forma imperativa femenina, que es اُكْتُبِي (uktubī).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imperativo en árabe: Dar órdenes a una mujer

¿Qué frase le dice correctamente a un hombre 'abre el libro'?

Elige la orden correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: اِفْتَحْ الكتاب.
اِفْتَحْ es el imperativo para un sujeto masculino singular. اِفْتَحِي es para una mujer, y تَفْتَحُ es una afirmación en presente, no una orden.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dar órdenes (Masculino): '¡Haz esto!' (if'al)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

No, eso es diferente. Para 'Vamos', normalmente usamos la palabra 'Yalla' o el verbo 'linadhhab' (vayamos nosotros). El imperativo es estrictamente para 'tú'. Por ejemplo, Yalla, vamos.
Las letras débiles (w, y, a) son 'perezosas'. En la forma imperativa, a menudo se eliminan para acortar la palabra. 'Qaala' (él dijo) se convierte en Qul (¡Di!).
Es la forma del verbo que usas para darle una orden a un solo hombre. Por ejemplo, si le dices a tu hermano 'lee', usarías la forma imperativa «اِقْرَأْ».
Los verbos árabes cambian según quién hace la acción y cuándo. El imperativo deja claro que estás dando una orden directa, no solo contando algo o preguntando. «اُكْتُبْ» significa '¡Escribe!'.
Es una forma verbal especial que se usa para dar una orden, petición o instrucción a una sola mujer. Generalmente se forma añadiendo el sufijo ـي (-i) al final de la forma de mandato masculina.
Sencillo: si le hablas directamente a una persona y esa persona es mujer, debes usarlo. Por ejemplo, al hablar con tu hermana, una amiga, o una colega.
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