Imperative Form for Direct Commands (Kar/Kara)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the verb root for friends and add '-a' for elders or groups to give direct commands.
- Informal (Singular): Use the verb root. Example: 'Kar' (Do).
- Formal/Plural: Add '-a' to the root. Example: 'Kara' (Do).
- Negative: Use 'Nako' (Informal) or 'Naka' (Formal) after the verb.
Overview
How This Grammar Works
ne. To give a command, you first strip that away. What remains is called the verb root. This root is the heart of your command. But wait, there is a small social catch! Marathi cares a lot about who you are talking to. Are you talking to a close friend? Use the short version. Are you talking to your boss or a stranger? Use the polite version. It is like a grammar volume knob. You turn it up for respect and down for friends. Even native speakers sometimes pause to choose the right one. Do not worry, it becomes second nature very quickly. Think of it like a grammar traffic light guiding your social interactions.
Formation Pattern
karne (to do).
ne ending to find the root kar.
kar.
a to the root to get kara.
ye (come) stays ye for friends but becomes ya for elders.
pine (to drink), the root is pi. For elders, it becomes pya.
a rule perfectly.
When To Use It
pani dhya (give water). Notice the a at the end for respect. If you are teaching your younger brother to study, say abhyas kar (do study). Use it when giving directions to a rickshaw driver. Ithe thamba (stop here) is a classic phrase. You will also see this in recipes. 'Mix the flour' or 'Add salt' use these forms. It is also great for emergencies like pala! (run!). Even in job interviews, a recruiter might say basa (sit). It is the language of instructions and daily life.
When Not To Use It
bagh (look). She might give you a very confused look! Always lean towards the a ending if you are unsure. It is better to be too polite than accidentally mean. Also, do not use imperatives for things you 'might' do. This is for direct actions only. If you are asking a huge favor, add kripaya (please). Pure commands can sometimes feel too sharp in delicate situations. Avoid using them when you want to sound suggestive or optional. Use a different tense for 'we should do this'. The imperative is a direct order, not a suggestion.
Common Mistakes
ne on the verb. Say kar, not karne, when giving an order. People will understand you, but it sounds like a textbook. Another slip-up is using the informal form for everyone. It is a common trap for English speakers. In English, 'do' works for everyone. In Marathi, you must choose between kar and kara. Mixing these up is like wearing flip-flops to a wedding. It just feels a bit out of place! Also, watch out for vowel-ending verbs. Some learners say pia instead of pya. It is a small detail, but pya sounds much more natural. Don't sweat the small stuff too much yet, though.Contrast With Similar Patterns
karal ka? (will you do?). The command is just kara (do). One is a question, the other is a statement. The command form is also faster to say than the future tense. Use commands for the 'now' and future tense for the 'later'. It is the difference between 'Eat!' and 'You will eat'.Quick FAQ
Is kar always for one person?
Yes, one person who is a friend or younger.
Can I use kara for one person?
Yes, if you want to show them respect.
What if I am talking to a dog?
Use the short form like bas (sit).
Is this the same for boys and girls?
Yes! Commands do not change based on gender.
How do I say 'Don't do it'?
That is a different rule using nako.
Is kara used for a group of friends?
Yes, use the a ending for any group.
Imperative Conjugation (Verb: Karne - To Do)
| Subject Type | Pronoun | Suffix | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Informal Singular
|
Tu (तू)
|
None (Root)
|
Kar (कर)
|
Tu kar (You do)
|
|
Formal / Plural
|
Tumhi (तुम्ही)
|
-a (ा)
|
Kara (करा)
|
Tumhi kara (You all do)
|
|
Very Formal
|
Aapan (आपण)
|
-a (ा)
|
Kara (करा)
|
Aapan kara (Please do)
|
Irregular Imperative Forms
| Verb | Informal | Formal | English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Yene (Come)
|
Ye
|
Ya
|
Come
|
|
Jane (Go)
|
Ja
|
Jaa
|
Go
|
|
Pine (Drink)
|
Pi
|
Pya
|
Drink
|
|
Dene (Give)
|
De
|
Dya
|
Give
|
|
Ghene (Take)
|
Ghe
|
Ghya
|
Take
|
Meanings
The imperative form is used to give direct orders, instructions, or requests to someone.
Direct Command
Telling someone exactly what to do immediately.
“बस (Bas) - Sit down.”
“पाणी पी (Paani pi) - Drink water.”
Polite Request/Instruction
Giving directions or asking politely in a formal setting.
“कृपया बसा (Krupaya basa) - Please sit down.”
“फॉर्म भरा (Form bhara) - Fill the form.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative Informal
|
Root
|
Bas (Sit)
|
|
Affirmative Formal
|
Root + a
|
Basa (Sit)
|
|
Negative Informal
|
Verb-u + Nako
|
Basu nako (Don't sit)
|
|
Negative Formal
|
Verb-u + Naka
|
Basu naka (Don't sit)
|
|
Polite Request
|
Krupaya + Formal
|
Krupaya basa (Please sit)
|
|
Instructional
|
Object + Verb
|
Darwaja ughada (Open the door)
|
Formality Spectrum
कृपया बसा (Krupaya basa) (General sitting)
बसा (Basa) (General sitting)
बस (Bas) (General sitting)
बस की (Bas ki - emphatic) (General sitting)
The Command Tree
Informal
- Tu You (singular)
- Root No suffix
Formal
- Tumhi You (plural/respect)
- -a Suffix
Kar vs. Kara
Examples by Level
जेवण कर.
Eat your meal.
पाणी प्या.
Drink water.
तिथे जाऊ नको.
Don't go there.
कृपया खिडकी उघडा.
Please open the window.
मला तुमचे पुस्तक द्या.
Give me your book.
सावधगिरी बाळगा.
Exercise caution.
प्रत्येक नागरिकाने आपले कर्तव्य पार पाडावे.
Every citizen should fulfill their duty.
त्वरीत उत्तर द्या.
Respond immediately.
सत्याची कास धरून पुढे चला.
Move forward holding onto the truth.
अन्यायाविरुद्ध आवाज उठवा.
Raise your voice against injustice.
निसर्गाच्या या किमयेचा अनुभव घ्या आणि धन्य व्हा.
Experience this miracle of nature and be blessed.
शब्दांचा खेळ थांबवा आणि कृती करा.
Stop the wordplay and take action.
Easily Confused
Learners mix 'Kara' (You do) with 'Karuya' (Let's do).
Common Mistakes
Aai, ikade ye.
Aai, ikade ya.
Tumhi kar.
Tumhi kara.
Bas nako.
Basu nako.
Krupaya de.
Krupaya dya.
Sentence Patterns
Krupaya ___ -a.
Real World Usage
Ek chaha dya. (Give one tea.)
Ujvi kade vala. (Turn right.)
Lavkar ye! (Come fast!)
The Safety Rule
Negative Trap
Smart Tips
Always add the '-a' sound to the end of your verb.
Pronunciation
The 'a' suffix
The 'a' in 'Kara' is a long vowel like in 'Father'.
Falling Tone
खाली बस! (Khaali bas!)
Conveys a strong, direct command.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Kar is for a 'Car' friend (singular); Kara is for a 'Crowd' or 'Karta' (boss/elder).
Visual Association
Imagine pointing a finger at a small child (Kar) versus opening your palms to welcome a group of guests (Kara).
Rhyme
For a friend, just say the root. For the boss, add 'a' to suit!
Story
A king tells his servant 'Kar' (Do it), but the servant tells the king 'Kara' (Please do it). The 'a' at the end is like a bow of respect.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and give yourself 5 commands in Marathi (e.g., 'Bas', 'Uth', 'Bag'). Then imagine your teacher is there and repeat them with the '-a' ending.
Cultural Notes
In Marathi culture, using the formal 'Kara' with anyone even slightly older than you is a sign of good upbringing (Sanskar).
Derived from Sanskrit imperative (Lot Lakara).
Conversation Starters
मित्राला चहा पिण्यास सांगा.
शिक्षकांना वर्गात येण्यास सांगा.
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Tumhi ___.
Tu ikade ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Aaji, ikade ye.
Score: /3
Practice Exercises
3 exercisesTumhi ___.
Tu ikade ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Aaji, ikade ye.
Score: /3
FAQ (6)
Generally, no. It is better to use `Kara` to show respect, though some very modern families might use informal speech.
In writing, it is `या` (Ya). The 'a' sound is built into the letter.
Use `Karu nako` (informal) or `Karu naka` (formal).
No, `Kar` and `Kara` are the same whether you are talking to a man or a woman.
Use the formal/plural form `Kara` because it is a group.
Add the word `Krupaya` (Please) at the beginning.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tú vs Usted commands
Marathi doesn't change the stem as drastically as Spanish 'irregular' imperatives.
Tu vs Vous
Marathi formal ending '-a' is consistent across almost all verbs.
Du vs Sie
Marathi does not require the pronoun to be stated in the command.
Te-form vs Imperative
Japanese imperative is often considered very aggressive; Marathi formal imperative is polite.
Amr (أمر)
Marathi imperatives are gender-neutral.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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