direct command (do it!)

The imperative is the bluntest command form: ru-verbs replace る with ろ (食べろ), u-verbs shift the final sound to the e-row (行け), and する becomes しろ. It is used in emergencies, by drill instructors, between close male friends, and in cheering. Avoid it in ordinary polite conversation.

Examples

• 早はやく起おきろ！

  Hayaku okiro!

  Get up quickly!

• 頑張がんばれ！

  Ganbare!

  Hang in there!

Vocabulary in these examples

• 早い early
• 起きる to get up; to wake up

Related patterns · Commands and prohibition

• 〜なさい polite command (do it)
• 〜な（禁止） do not do (strong prohibition)