To tell someone what to do in Dutch, you use the imperative (the command form). Take the stem of the verb (roughly, the verb without _-en_) and put it first: _Kom binnen!_ means "Come in!" It works for one friend or a whole group. To be polite you add _u_ (_Komt u binnen_), and signs often use the infinitive (the dictionary form): _Niet roken_.
The pattern
For _jij_ and _jullie_, put the bare verb stem first and usually leave out the pronoun: _Kom!_, _Wacht!_, _Luister!_
- Find the stem as usual: _lopen_ becomes _loop_, _zitten_ becomes _zit_, _geven_ becomes _geef_ (see [Finding the stem of a verb](#/lesson/verb-stem)).
- The same form works for one person or a group: _Wacht, Sanne!_ and _Wacht, jongens!_
- Polite: use the _u_ form of the verb, then _u_: _Komt u binnen._ _Gaat u zitten._ (more in [U or jij](#/lesson/u-or-jij))
- Softer: add _even_ (just, for a moment) or _maar_ (go ahead): _Wacht even._ _Kom maar._
- [Separable verbs](#/lesson/separable-verbs) usually send their small part to the end: _Kom binnen._ _Doe het raam dicht._
- Signs and many general instructions use the infinitive: _Niet roken._ _Duwen._
- _zijn_ is the odd one out: _Wees stil!_, and politely _Weest u voorzichtig._
Examples
| Kom binnen, Daan! | Come in, Daan! |
|---|---|
| Wacht even, ik pak mijn fiets. | Wait a moment, I'm getting my bike. |
| Jongens, luister even! | Guys, listen for a second! |
| Komt u binnen, meneer Jansen. | Come in, Mr Jansen. |
| Gaat u maar zitten. | Please take a seat. |
| Neem maar een stuk taart, Yara. | Go ahead, have a piece of cake, Yara. |
| Wees voorzichtig, het is glad. | Be careful, it's slippery. |
| Doe het raam dicht, Bas. | Close the window, Bas. |
| Niet roken | No smoking |
| Duwen | Push |
Why it works this way
When you give a command, the person is right in front of you. There is no need to say _jij_: you are practically pointing at them. So Dutch strips the verb down to its core, just as English does with "Come in!"
A sign talks to nobody in particular, so it does not choose a person at all. It uses the neutral dictionary form: _Niet parkeren_, _Trekken_. You will also hear this as a firm, impersonal order, for example from a teacher: _Opletten!_ ("Pay attention!")
On its own, a bare command like _Wacht!_ can sound abrupt. Dutch speakers very often add a small word. _Even_ makes the request feel quick and light (it has nothing to do with English "even"). _Maar_ gives permission or encouragement: _Kom maar_ means "go ahead, come in, it's fine". More in [Even, maar, eens](#/lesson/softening-particles).
The _u_ form sounds polite and a little formal. You will hear it at the GP, at the _gemeente_ counter and in shops.
If your language has a separate plural command, as German, Spanish and Arabic do, relax: Dutch uses the same form for _jullie_.
Remember: when you speak to someone directly, one friend or a whole group, use the stem. To be polite, use the _u_ form plus _u_: _Komt u binnen_. When a sign speaks to nobody in particular, it usually uses the infinitive.
Watch out
- Not: _Komt binnen, Sanne!_ Say: _Kom binnen, Sanne!_ (no _-t_ in a _jij_ command)
- Not: _Kom u binnen, mevrouw._ Say: _Komt u binnen, mevrouw._ (with _u_, use the _u_ form: _u komt_)
- Not: _Ben voorzichtig, Ahmed!_ Say: _Wees voorzichtig, Ahmed!_ (_zijn_ has its own command form)
- Not: _Opbel me morgen._ Say: _Bel me morgen op._ (the small part goes to the end)
Quick check
- Your friend Lotte is at the door. (komen) ... binnen, Lotte!
- At the GP, the assistant calls Carlos in and says: (gaan) ... u zitten.
- Your neighbour Joris asks if he can come in. You mean "go ahead": Kom ... binnen. (even / maar)
- A sign in the train says: Niet ... (eten)
Answers
- _Kom_: for _jij_, use the stem alone.
- _Gaat_: with _u_, use the _u_ form (_u gaat_).
- _maar_: _maar_ gives permission.
- _eten_: signs like this use the infinitive.
Use it today
When a colleague or neighbour knocks today, say _Kom maar binnen!_ or, if you are busy, _Wacht even!_ On your way home, spot one sign with an infinitive and work out what it tells you to do.