Chapter 20: L-Imperattiv (The Imperative)

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.

Objectives

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

Forming Commands in Maltese

The Singular Imperative (for 'you' singular - `int`)

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!

The Plural Imperative (for 'you' plural - `intom`)

To give a command to more than one person, you simply take the singular imperative and add the suffix -u.

Singular CommandPlural CommandEnglish
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.)

The Negative Imperative ("Don't...")

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):

Practice Activities


Recognition Practice:
Exercise 1: Who is being commanded?

Decide if the command is for one person (singular) or a group (plural).

  1. Iktbu! -> ___________
  2. Aqra! -> ___________
  3. Tmorrux! (Don't go!) -> ___________
  4. Ilbes! -> ___________
  1. Plural
  2. Singular
  3. Plural
  4. Singular
Production Practice:
Exercise 2: Give the Command

Form the correct imperative based on the prompt.

  1. "To listen" (`sema'`). Command a group: __________!
  2. "To eat" (`kiel`). Command one person: __________!
  3. "To speak" (`tkellem`). Command one person not to: __________!
  1. Isimgħu!
  2. Kul!
  3. Titkellimx!

Cultural Insight

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.

Il-Ħin tal-Istorja (Story Time)

A teacher gives instructions to her students in a classroom.

Fil-Klassi (In the 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!)

In the Classroom (Translation)

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!

Review and Consolidation

Key Concepts:

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.

Key Vocabulary:

`Iftaħ` (Open!), `Ikteb` (Write!), `Aqra` (Read!), `Ilbes` (Wear!), `Oħroġ` (Go out!), `Kul` (Eat!), `Imbotta` (Push), `Iġbed` (Pull).

Self-Assessment:

Looking Ahead

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.


Previous Chapter: Giving Directions Next Chapter: Numbers 21-100