nemoj + Imperfective

Negative Commands and Aspect

Level 5

Nemoj plus an imperfective infinitive forbids; nemoj plus a perfective infinitive warns.

How It Works

You know the negative command nemoj plus an infinitive. Aspect gives it two flavours.

AspectUseExample
imperfectivedo not do this (at all, or now)Nemoj pisati po zidu.
perfectivewatch out, do not let it happenNemoj zaboraviti ključeve!

The perfective warns about something that could happen once, often by mistake: Nemoj pasti! Nemoj se opeći!

For a friend use nemoj, for several people or a stranger nemojte.

This is a strong tendency, not a hard law. In a few cases, speakers use a perfective verb for a firm "do not ever", and some fixed phrases are the other way round. If you are unsure, use the imperfective.

Examples (4)

  1. Nemoj govoriti tako glasno.

    Do not talk so loudly.

    Govoriti is imperfective.

  2. Nemoj kupovati toliko hljeba.

    Do not buy so much bread.

    Kupovati is imperfective.

  3. Nemoj zaboraviti ključeve!

    Do not forget the keys!

    A perfective warning.

  4. Nemojte pasti na ledu!

    Do not fall on the ice!

    Pasti is perfective: a warning to a group.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

nemoj + ImperfectiveLevel 5Negative Commands and Aspect

Learn This First

Nemoj takes imperfective verbs.

Words in This Pattern

pisatikupovatizaboravitipasti