The imperative mood is used to give commands, orders, or instructions. You've already seen it in the last chapter with phrases like "Go!" and "Turn!". Now, let's learn how to form it for other verbs.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
For many regular verbs, the singular imperative is formed from the verb's three-consonant root. It's often the simplest form of the verb.
Verb (Past Tense form) | Imperative (Singular Command) | English |
---|---|---|
`fetaħ` (he opened) | Iftaħ! (IF-tah!) | Open! |
`kiteb` (he wrote) | Ikteb! (IK-teb!) | Write! |
`qara` (he read) | Aqra! (A'-ra!) | Read! |
`libes` (he wore) | Ilbes! (IL-bes!) | Wear! / Put on! |
`ħareġ` (he went out) | Oħroġ! (OH-roj!) | Go out! / Exit! |
To give a command to more than one person, you simply take the singular imperative and add the suffix -u.
Singular Command | Plural Command | English |
---|---|---|
Iftaħ! | Iftħu! (IFT-hoo!) | Open! (pl.) |
Ikteb! | Iktbu! (IKT-boo!) | Write! (pl.) |
Aqra! | Aqraw! (A'-raw!) | Read! (pl.) |
Ilbes! | Ilbsu! (ILB-soo!) | Wear! (pl.) |
Oħroġ! | Oħorġu! (OHOR-joo!) | Go out! (pl.) |
To tell someone *not* to do something, you use a different structure: `T` + (verb stem) + `-x`.
Example with `kiteb` (to write):
Example with `fetaħ` (to open):
Master giving commands with the imperative.
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Decide if the command is for one person (singular) or a group (plural).
Form the correct imperative based on the prompt.
While giving commands can sound harsh in English, the imperative in Maltese is a normal part of everyday life and isn't necessarily rude. It's frequently used among family and friends. A mother might lovingly tell her child `Kul!` (Eat!) or `Ilbes!` (Get dressed!).
You will also see the imperative used everywhere on public signs. On a door, you might see `Imbotta` (Push) or `Iġbed` (Pull). On a bus, you might see `Żomm sod` (Hold tight). Learning to recognize these commands is a very practical way to understand your surroundings in Malta.
A teacher gives instructions to her students in a classroom.
Għalliema: Bonġu tfal. Jekk jogħġobkom, `oħorġu` l-kotba tagħkom. (BON-joo tfal. Yek YOJ-bokom, OHOR-joo l-KOT-ba TAH-kom.)
Għalliema: Pawlu, `iftaħ` il-ktieb f'paġna ħamsa. (PAW-loo, IF-tah il-KTEEB f'PAJ-na HAM-sa.)
Għalliema: Issa, `aqra` l-ewwel sentenza, jekk jogħġbok. (IS-sa, A'-ra l-EW-wel sen-TENTS-a, yek YOJ-bok.)
Pawlu: (Jaqra s-sentenza)
Għalliema: Prosit, Pawlu. Issa, tfal, `iktbu` dan fil-pitazz. U Marija, `titkellimx` ma' Anna! (PRO-sit, PAW-loo. IS-sa, tfal, IKT-boo dan fil-pi-TATTS. Oo Ma-REE-ya, tit-kel-LIMSH ma AN-na!)
Teacher: Hello children. Please, take out your books.
Teacher: Pawlu, open the book to page five.
Teacher: Now, read the first sentence, please.
Pawlu: (Reads the sentence)
Teacher: Well done, Pawlu. Now, children, write this in your notebook. And Marija, don't talk to Anna!
The imperative is for giving commands. The singular form is often the verb root. The plural form adds `-u`. The negative form uses the `T...-x` wrapper.
`Iftaħ` (Open!), `Ikteb` (Write!), `Aqra` (Read!), `Ilbes` (Wear!), `Oħroġ` (Go out!), `Kul` (Eat!), `Imbotta` (Push), `Iġbed` (Pull).
Prosit! You can now give commands and instructions. You've come a long way with your Maltese vocabulary. In the next chapter, we will greatly expand your ability to count by learning the numbers from 21 to 100.