Command Form
Use the verb stem (usually the infinitive minus -e) to tell someone what to do. Example: Spis! (Eat!)
How It Works
The imperative is a core part of spoken Danish, used for everything from recipes to quick commands.
1. Formation Rules:
- Regular verbs: Remove the final -e from the infinitive.
at tale (to speak) → Tal! - Vowel stems: If the infinitive ends in a stressed vowel, the imperative is identical to the infinitive.
at gå (to go) → Gå! - Consonant changes: If the verb has a double consonant before the -e, it simplifies to a single consonant.
at komme (to come) → Kom!
2. Softening the Command:
Because the imperative is very direct, Danes often use modal particles like lige or bare to sound less blunt. Adding venligst (please) makes it formal, though this is less common in daily speech.
3. Negative Commands:
To tell someone NOT to do something, you can use ikke after the verb (Gå ikke!), but it sounds very sharp. A more natural way is using the phrase Lad være med at... (Stop/Don't...).
4. Reflexive Verbs:
When using reflexive verbs, you must include the object pronoun.
Example: Skynd dig! (Hurry up! / Hurry yourself!).
Examples (5)
- Kom her og se det her!
Come here and see this!
Word by Word: Come here and see this here!
Uses the imperative forms of 'at komme' (Kom) and 'at se' (Se).
- Vær sød at lukke døren.
Be so kind as to close the door.
Word by Word: Be sweet to close door-the.
'Vær' is the imperative of 'at være' (to be). This is a common polite way to make a request.
- Lad være med at røre ved det!
Don't touch that!
Word by Word: Let be with to touch at it!
This is the standard natural way to form a negative command in Danish.
- Spis du bare din mad.
Just go ahead and eat your food.
Word by Word: Eat you just your food.
Adding 'du' and 'bare' after the imperative turns a command into a friendly suggestion.
- Skynd dig, vi kommer for sent!
Hurry up, we are going to be late!
Word by Word: Hurry you, we come for late!
For reflexive verbs like 'at skynde sig', the pronoun 'dig' is required.
Common Mistakes
Using the full infinitive (ending in -e) for a command.
Tale langsommere!Tal langsommere!The imperative must be the bare stem. You must remove the -e from 'tale'.
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun.
Sæt!Sæt dig!With reflexive verbs like 'at sætte sig' (to sit down), you cannot omit the pronoun 'dig'.
Keeping double consonants at the end of the word.
Komm her!Kom her!Danish spelling rules usually prevent double consonants at the very end of a word stem.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the imperative in Danish, you need to understand the infinitive form of verbs, as the command form is created by removing the infinitive ending. You also need to be familiar with basic word order to understand how the subject is omitted in commands.
- at + InfinitiveInfinitive with at
The imperative is derived directly from the infinitive form by removing the final -e, so understanding the base infinitive is essential.
Level 1 - Informal Address With Du
The imperative is most commonly used in informal contexts when addressing someone directly as 'du'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs require an object pronoun even when used in the imperative form.
Level 2 - ligeModal Particle Lige
Particles like 'lige' are frequently used to soften the directness of the imperative.
Level 3 - ikkeNegation with Ikke
Used to create negative commands, though often replaced by 'lad være med'.
Level 1 - -s (passiv)S-Passive
In formal writing, the s-passive is often used instead of the imperative for instructions.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Command Form in Bubblegum
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