Direct Imperatives: Giving Commands (فعل الأمر)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The imperative (فعل الأمر) is used to give direct commands or requests by conjugating the verb into the second person.
- Use the second person present tense (Jussive mood) as a base.
- Drop the prefix (e.g., 'ta-') to form the command.
- Ensure the verb ending matches the gender and number of the listener.
Overview
Ever noticed how a single word in Arabic can sound like a gentle suggestion or a military command depending on just one vowel? If you have ever tried to tell a digital assistant in Arabic to قف (Stop) and got a confused response, you know that the imperative is more than just a barked order. In Arabic, the Direct Imperative (فعل الأمر) is the primary way you interact with people when you want something done.
It is punchy, efficient, and carries the weight of the speaker's intent. At a C1 level, you are not just learning how to say "Sit down." You are mastering how to navigate the 10 verb forms, handling tricky weak roots that disappear like ghosts, and knowing when a direct command is a bit too much for the WhatsApp group chat. Arabic is a high-context language, so your choice of verb form says a lot about your relationship with the person you are texting.
Whether you are scrolling through Instagram captions or reading a manual for a new gaming console, these forms are everywhere. Let's make sure you don't accidentally tell your boss to "Get out" when you meant "Please proceed."
How This Grammar Works
المجزوم). Think of the Jussive as the DNA of the imperative. To create a direct command, you always start with the second-person present tense (المضارع).أنتَ, أنتِ, أنتما, أنتم, and أنتنَّ.همزة الوصل) to get the sound moving. If the verb is already smooth (like Form II), no helper is needed.Formation Pattern
كتب (to write), that is تكتب.
تـ at the beginning. You are left with ـكتب.
سكون (silent mark). Now you have ـكتبْ.
ـكتبْ? No, because it starts with a consonant cluster كتـ.
سكون, add ا. The vowel on this alif depends on the middle vowel of the present tense. If the middle is ُ, the alif gets a ُ (اُكتب). Otherwise, it gets a ِ (اِجلس).
تعلّم becomes علّم (Teach!). Form III تسافر becomes سافر (Travel!). Form IV is the rebel; it always keeps its أ with a فتحة, as in أرسل (Send!). For weak verbs, the formation is a bit more brutal—the weak letter (و, ي, or ا) usually gets deleted entirely. تقول (you say) becomes قُل (Say!). It’s like the verb went on a diet and lost its most annoying letters just for this specific moment.
When To Use It
اشترك (Subscribe), ارسل (Send), حمّل (Download).أضف الملح (Add salt), اخلط المزيج (Mix the mixture). In social settings, the imperative isn't always a "command." When you say تفضل (Please, come in/have some) to a guest, you are using an imperative to show hospitality.انتبه! (Watch out!), you are using it for urgent safety. However, because Arabic cultures value politeness (أدب), we often wrap these commands in "softeners" like لو سمحت (if you please) or من فضلك (from your grace). Using a bare imperative with a stranger might make you sound like a villain in a historical drama—cool for Netflix, but maybe not great for ordering a latte in Dubai.Common Mistakes
همزة قطع (the one with the little squiggle أ) on every imperative. Only Form IV gets that! For Form I, it's a همزة وصل (just the stick ا). If you write أكتب instead of اكتب, you’ve technically written "I write" instead of "Write!". Another classic is the "Gender Ghost." When talking to a female (أنتِ), you must keep the ي at the end: اكتبي. But when you make it prohibitive (لا تكتب), or if the verb is defective, people often forget which letters to drop. Speaking of defective verbs, don't be the person who says ادعو for "Call!". The و must die: it's just ادعُ. It sounds shorter, like you’re in a hurry to get off the phone. Also, watch out for the dual form أنتما. It ends in ـا, and it’s actually quite common in formal speeches or when you're talking to two friends about which movie to stream. If you ignore these nuances, you might end up commanding a whole crowd to do something meant for one person, which is a great way to start a very confusing flash mob.Contrast With Similar Patterns
لام الأمر (The L-command) comes in.لـِ on the front. ليذهب (Let him go). It’s much more formal and less "in your face" than the direct imperative.المصدر (Infinitive) used as a command, like صبراً (Be patient!), which sounds very poetic and literary. You’ll see this in classical poetry or dramatic movie trailers. Another contrast is with the "Prohibitive" (النهي).لا + Jussive to tell you what not to do. اكتب! (Write!) vs لا تكتب! (Don't write!). Don't confuse لا the prohibitive with لا the negative (which just uses the regular present tense).لا تكتبُ (with a ُ), you're just stating a fact: "You don't write." If you want to actually stop someone from tweeting something embarrassing, you need that سكون: لا تكتبْ!.Quick FAQ
Can I use the imperative with my teacher?
Only if you add من فضلك or use a more polite "Request" form. Otherwise, it sounds like you're giving them homework.
Why does the Alif in اُدخل have a damma but اِغسل has a kasra?
It depends on the second root letter of the present tense. تدخُل has a damma, so the imperative follows suit. تغسِل has a kasra, so the imperative takes a kasra.
Is there an imperative for "I" or "We"?
Not a direct one. You use the لام الأمر pattern: لنذهب (Let's go).
What about Form IV? Why is it different?
Form IV is the "VIP" form. Its hamza is permanent and always has a fatha: أرسل, أعلم. It never disappears.
Do I really need to use the feminine plural أنتنَّ?
In formal writing or specific dialects, yes. اكتبنَ. On social media, people often default to the masculine plural أنتم, but knowing the feminine version shows you've reached C1 mastery.
How do I say "Be!"?
It’s كُن. Simple, short, and very famous thanks to the Quranic phrase كن فيكون.
Why did the و disappear in قُل (Say)?
Because of a "vowel clash." You can't have two silent letters in a row. قُولْ is too heavy for Arabic ears, so the weak one gets the boot.
Can I use the imperative in a job interview?
Use it sparingly. It’s better to use phrases like هل يمكنني... (Is it possible for me...) or أود أن... (I would like to...). Only use the imperative if you are explaining a process or giving a demo.
What is the most common imperative on the internet?
Probably تابعنا (Follow us) or اشترك (Subscribe).
How do I give a command to a group of men and women?
Use the masculine plural أنتم form: اسمعوا. It functions as the default "everyone" form.
Is the imperative used in Dua (prayers)?
Yes! When you say اغفر لي (Forgive me), you are using the imperative. In this context, it’s a request, not a command. God doesn't take orders, but He does take requests.
What happens to "Geminate" verbs (with shadda)?
They keep the shadda and usually add a fatha at the end to make it easier to say: رُدَّ (Reply/Respond!).
Are there any "irregular" imperatives?
Only a few. The most common is تعال (Come!), which doesn't follow the standard أمر rules of the root ع-ل-ي.
Can I use the imperative for advice?
Absolutely. اقرأ هذا الكتاب (Read this book) is a standard way to give a recommendation.
How do I tell someone to "Shut up" politely?
You don't. But اسكت is the direct way. To be polite, you'd say هدوء من فضلك (Quiet, please).
Does the imperative change in different dialects?
Yes, significantly. In Egyptian, for example, the helper alif is often dropped or changed to an "eh" sound. But for C1 MSA, stick to the rules above.
Can the imperative be used for the future?
An imperative is inherently future-oriented. You are telling someone to do something they haven't done yet.
What is the "Heavy Nun" imperative?
It's an advanced form where you add ـنَّ to emphasize the command: اكتبنَّ (You must write!). It’s very dramatic.
How do I conjugate "Eat"? It starts with a Hamza.
Form I verbs starting with hamza like أكل often drop the hamza entirely in the imperative: كُل. Much easier than اأكل!
Is it true that some verbs don't have an imperative?
Almost all verbs do, but some "stative" verbs (like "to be red") are rarely used in command form because you can't really order someone to change color.
Imperative Conjugation (Form I)
| Pronoun | Present Tense | Imperative |
|---|---|---|
|
Anta (M.S)
|
Taktubu
|
Uktub
|
|
Anti (F.S)
|
Taktubina
|
Uktubi
|
|
Antuma (Dual)
|
Taktubani
|
Uktuba
|
|
Antum (M.P)
|
Taktubuna
|
Uktubu
|
|
Antunna (F.P)
|
Taktubna
|
Uktubna
|
Meanings
The imperative mood is used to issue direct orders, make requests, or provide instructions to a listener.
Direct Command
An authoritative instruction.
“اِجْلِسْ هُنَا”
“اِفْتَحِ الْبَابَ”
Polite Request
Softened command using particles.
“مِنْ فَضْلِكَ، اِقْرَأْ هَذَا”
“اِفْعَلْ هَذَا لِي”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + Suffix
|
Uktub
|
|
Negative
|
La + Present
|
La taktub
|
|
Polite
|
Min fadlak + Imperative
|
Min fadlak, uktub
|
|
Feminine
|
Stem + i
|
Uktubi
|
|
Plural
|
Stem + u
|
Uktubu
|
Formality Spectrum
تَفَضَّلْ بِالْجُلُوسِ (Giving a command to sit.)
اِجْلِسْ (Giving a command to sit.)
اِقْعُدْ (Giving a command to sit.)
اِقْعُدْ يَا وَاد (Giving a command to sit.)
Imperative Roots
Gender
- Masc Uktub
- Fem Uktubi
Number
- Singular Uktub
- Plural Uktubu
Examples by Level
اِشْرَبِ الْمَاءَ
Drink the water.
اِجْلِسْ هُنَا
Sit here.
اِفْتَحِ الْكِتَابَ
Open the book.
اِذْهَبْ إِلَى الْمَدْرَسَةِ
Go to school.
اِكْتُبِي اسْمَكِ
Write your name (fem).
اِسْمَعُوا لِي
Listen to me (pl).
اِفْعَلْ هَذَا
Do this.
اِنْظُرْ إِلَى هُنَا
Look here.
اِقْرَأِ الْقِصَّةَ بِصَوْتٍ عَالٍ
Read the story aloud.
اِحْفَظِ الْكَلِمَاتِ الْجَدِيدَةَ
Memorize the new words.
اِخْتَرْ إِجَابَةً وَاحِدَةً
Choose one answer.
اِجْعَلْ هَذَا أَوْلَوِيَّةً
Make this a priority.
اِسْتَمْتِعْ بِوَقْتِكَ فِي السَّفَرِ
Enjoy your time while traveling.
اِسْتَخْدِمِ الْقَامُوسَ لِفَهْمِ النَّصِّ
Use the dictionary to understand the text.
اِعْتَمِدْ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ
Rely on yourself.
اِقْبَلِ التَّحَدِّيَ
Accept the challenge.
اِسْتَوْعِبِ الْأَفْكَارَ الْفَلْسَفِيَّةَ
Grasp the philosophical ideas.
اِضْبِطْ إِيقَاعَ الْحَدِيثِ
Control the pace of the conversation.
اِسْتَنْبِطِ الْحَقَائِقَ مِنَ الْبَيَانَاتِ
Deduce facts from the data.
اِصْطَفِ أَعْمَالَكَ بِعِنَايَةٍ
Select your works carefully.
اِضْطَلِعْ بِمَهَامِّكَ بِكُلِّ جِدِّيَّةٍ
Undertake your tasks with full seriousness.
اِسْتَشِفَّ الْمَعَانِيَ بَيْنَ السُّطُورِ
Infer the meanings between the lines.
اِقْتَفِ أَثَرَ الْحِكْمَةِ
Follow the path of wisdom.
اِضْطَرِمْ حَمَاسَةً لِلْعَمَلِ
Ignite enthusiasm for the work.
Easily Confused
Learners use imperative for 'don't'.
Learners use present tense for commands.
Learners use verbal noun for commands.
Common Mistakes
Taktub!
Uktub!
Uktub (to a girl)
Uktubi
Uktub (to a group)
Uktubu
La uktub
La taktub
Iktub (for a verb with 'u' vowel)
Uktub
Iftah (for a verb with 'a' vowel)
Iftah
Isma (for a verb with 'i' vowel)
Isma
Iqra (for weak verb)
Iqra
Taja (for hollow verb)
Tij
I'ti (for 'give')
A'ti
Ista'mil (for Form X)
Ista'mil
Iftah (in formal speech)
Iftah
La ta'mal (as command)
I'mal
Sentence Patterns
اِفْعَلْ ___
مِنْ فَضْلِكَ، ___
يَا صَدِيقِي، ___
اِقْرَأْ ___ لِتَفْهَمَ ___
Real World Usage
اِجْلِبْ لِي الْقَائِمَةَ
اِفْتَحِ الْكِتَابَ
اِشْتَرِكْ فِي الْقَنَاةِ
اِتَّجِهْ يَمِينًا
اِقْرَأْ هَذَا الْعَقْدَ
اِتَّصِلْ بِي
Politeness
Gender
Hamza
Context
Smart Tips
Add 'min fadlak' before the command.
Use the plural suffix 'u'.
Check the middle vowel for the alif.
Drop the final vowel.
Pronunciation
Hamzat al-Wasl
The initial alif is only pronounced if it starts a sentence.
Command
Uktub! ↘
Falling intonation for authority.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Drop the 'Ta', add the 'Alif' (if needed), and make it snappy!
Visual Association
Imagine a conductor pointing a baton at different sections of an orchestra to tell them when to play.
Rhyme
Drop the T, set the key, command them all with ease and glee.
Story
Ali wanted to learn Arabic. He told his friend, 'Uktub' (write). His friend wrote. Then he told the group, 'Uktubu' (write all). They all wrote. It was a successful lesson.
Word Web
Challenge
Give 5 commands to your pet or a plant in Arabic today.
Cultural Notes
Often uses 'i' instead of 'u' for the initial alif.
Often shortens the imperative significantly.
Very formal and precise with the hamzat al-wasl.
Derived from the Proto-Semitic imperative forms.
Conversation Starters
اِكْتُبْ لِي اسْمَكَ
اِقْرَأْ هَذِهِ الْجُمْلَةَ
اِشْرَحْ لِي هَذِهِ الْقَاعِدَةَ
اِقْتَرِحْ عَلَيَّ كِتَابًا لِلْقِرَاءَةِ
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ (Write) الدَّرْسَ!
___ (Sit) هُنَا!
Find and fix the mistake:
تَكْتُبْ الدَّرْسَ!
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Drink the water!
Answer starts with: اِش...
A: ___ (Go) مَعِي! B: حَسَنًا.
___ (Choose) ___ (the answer).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ (Write) الدَّرْسَ!
___ (Sit) هُنَا!
Find and fix the mistake:
تَكْتُبْ الدَّرْسَ!
الْبَابَ / اِفْتَحْ
Drink the water!
A: ___ (Go) مَعِي! B: حَسَنًا.
___ (Choose) ___ (the answer).
Uktub (M.S) -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesيا أصدقاء، ___ هذا الفيديو.
ادعو الله دائماً.
من فضلك - الباب - أغلق
Drink the water.
Identify the Form X verb:
Match:
يا ولدان، ___ الغرفة.
أجلس هنا.
Tell me (f)!
Choose the feminine plural form:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It depends on the vowel of the second radical in the present tense.
No, you cannot command yourself.
It can be, so use 'min fadlak'.
Use 'la' + present tense.
The final vowel is dropped.
Yes, some common verbs like 'give' have unique forms.
Use polite phrases to soften it.
It is a distinct mood for commands.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Imperativo
Spanish has more irregular forms.
Impératif
French doesn't have the hamzat al-wasl.
Imperativ
German uses the infinitive for polite commands.
Meireikei
Japanese uses particles for politeness.
Imperative
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
فعل الأمر
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Imperative Mood: Tell people what to do! (uktub, ishrab)
Overview To effectively communicate in Arabic, especially when guiding, instructing, or simply making a request, master...
Softer Arabic: How to Ask Nicely (Law Samaht)
Overview In Arabic, the grammatical form of a request is inseparable from the social context in which it is made. Simpl...
Continue With
Advanced Arabic Politeness: Navigating Social Etiquette (at-Ta'addub)
Have you ever felt like a bull in a china shop while trying to negotiate a contract in Dubai or send a high-stakes email...
Polite Requests: Softening Your Speech (التلطف)
Overview At the C1 level, moving beyond simple transactional communication in Arabic requires mastering `التَّلَطُّف` (...
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