Impersonal Command (-tagu)
Add -gu to the impersonal stem: tehta- + gu = tehtagu (let it be done). The negative is ärgu tehtagu (let it not be done).
How It Works
The jussive (-gu/-ku) tells a third person what to do: Ta tulgu homme (let him come tomorrow). The impersonal jussive does the same without naming anyone: something is simply to be done.
Form. Take the impersonal stem and add -gu:
- tegema: tehta- → tehtagu
- sulgema: suleta- → suletagu
- ütlema: öelda- → öeldagu
- minema: minda- → mindagu
The impersonal always uses -gu, even for verbs whose personal jussive has -ku: hakaku but hakatagu.
Negative. Use ärgu, not ära: Ärgu seda unustatagu. (Let this not be forgotten.)
Past. olgu + -tud: Olgu see homseks tehtud. (Let it be done by tomorrow.)
Where you meet it. Formal orders and decisions (Otsus avaldatagu ajalehes), older texts and solemn speech. In a modern notice you would more often read Uks tuleb sulgeda or Palun sulgege uks.
Concessive use. With mida tahes, kuidas tahes and similar words, it means whatever people may do: Öeldagu mida tahes, mina jään oma arvamuse juurde.
Examples (6)
- Uks suletagu!
Let the door be closed!
- Ärgu seda unustatagu.
Let this not be forgotten.
- Tehtagu see töö kohe ära!
Let this work be done right away!
- Otsus avaldatagu ajalehes.
The decision is to be published in the newspaper.
- Öeldagu mida tahes, mina jään oma arvamuse juurde.
Whatever people may say, I will stick to my opinion.
- Olgu see homseks tehtud.
Let it be done by tomorrow.
Common Mistakes
Using -ku in the impersonal.
Uks suletaku!Uks suletagu!The impersonal jussive always ends in -gu, added to the impersonal stem: suletagu, hakatagu, tehtagu.
Making the negative with ära.
Ära seda unustatagu.Ärgu seda unustatagu.All -gu forms take ärgu in the negative. ära is only for commands to sina.
How It Connects
Learn This First
-tagu combines the jussive and the impersonal.
Related Patterns
- ärguLet Someone Not Do It (Ärgu)
The negative uses the same ärgu.
Level 5 - tuleb + da-InfinitiveHaving to (Tuleb)
The usual modern way to say something must be done.
Level 3 - Legal Style
Formal decisions and old regulations use this form.
Level 6 - Reported Impersonal (-tavat)
Another rare form built on the same impersonal stem.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice Impersonal Command (-tagu) in Bubblegum
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