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The imperative

B1Verbs · lesson 54 of 79

For the imperative, we use the [present tense](#/lesson/Verbs.Re07) of the 1st person singular. For regular verbs, this is the [verb stem](#/lesson/Verbs.Re02).

Ga weg! | Go away!

Gooi dat maar weg. | Just throw that away.

Neem dat mee. | Take that with you.

Kom eens mee. | Just come here.

The verb _zijn_ has an irregular imperative. Instead of _ben_ (1st person singular), we use the stem of the verb _wezen_ (an oldfashioned form of _zijn)_:

Wees stil! | Be quiet!

If you want to be polite, you can use the [present tense](#/lesson/Verbs.Re07) of the more formal 2nd person. If you use the polite imperative, you have to add the [personal pronoun](#/lesson/Pronouns.Ps01) _u:_

Vult u dit formulier in. | Fill in the form.

Betaalt u aan de kassa. | Pay at the counter.

Blijft u maar zitten. | Just remain seated.

Weest u maar niet bang. | Don't be afraid.

For the English expression "let's...". we say: _laten we..._

Laten we wat gaan drinken. | Let's go for a drink.

Laten we gaan. | Let's go.

Note that we use _we_ not _ons_.

When a command is general and no particular person is addressed, we use the infinitive. This is particularly common on public signs.

Niet roken | Do not smoke

Niet aanraken | Do not touch

Trekken / duwen | Pull / push

Niet storen | Do not disturb

The passive voice The verb as an adjective
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