Command Form (Sie)
The formal imperative is used for polite requests and instructions. It is formed by placing the conjugated verb first, followed by the pronoun Sie.
How It Works
The Imperative Sie is the standard way to address one or more people formally in professional or public settings. Unlike the informal commands for du or ihr, the formal command must include the pronoun Sie.
Key Rules:
- Capitalization: The formal pronoun Sie (and its possessive form Ihr) must always be capitalized to distinguish it from 'she' or 'they'.
- Word Order: The verb moves to the first position, and Sie follows immediately.
- Punctuation: While exclamation marks (!) are standard for direct commands, a period (.) is frequently used for polite requests or instructions.
- Verb Form: For almost all verbs, use the form that looks like the infinitive (e.g., kommen → Kommen Sie!).
- The Exception: The verb sein is irregular and becomes Seien Sie! (not Sind Sie).
- Reflexive Pronouns: If the verb is reflexive, the reflexive pronoun (sich) follows the pronoun Sie (e.g., Setzen Sie sich!).
- The 'wir' Command: This same structure is used with wir to suggest a joint action (e.g., Gehen wir! → Let's go!).
- Separable Verbs: If using separable verbs, the prefix moves to the very end of the sentence.
- Politeness: To avoid sounding too blunt, Germans frequently add bitte (please) or modal particles like mal or doch.
Examples (6)
- Kommen Sie bitte herein!
Please come in!
Word by Word: Come you please in!
A standard polite request using the verb 'kommen' and the formal pronoun 'Sie' with an exclamation mark.
- Seien Sie vorsichtig!
Be careful!
Word by Word: Be you careful!
This uses the irregular imperative form of 'sein' (to be).
- Rufen Sie mich morgen an!
Call me tomorrow!
Word by Word: Call you me tomorrow at!
In this example with the separable verb 'anrufen', the prefix 'an' moves to the end.
- Setzen Sie sich bitte!
Please sit down!
Word by Word: Set you yourself please!
When using reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronoun follows 'Sie'.
- Gehen wir jetzt!
Let's go now!
Word by Word: Go we now!
The 'wir' imperative uses the same 'Verb + Pronoun' structure to mean 'Let's...'
- Machen Sie bitte das Fenster zu!
Please close the window!
Word by Word: Make you please the window to!
Uses the separable verb 'zumachen' (to close) with proper imperative punctuation.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the pronoun 'Sie'.
Kommen bitte!Kommen Sie bitte!In informal commands (du/ihr), the pronoun is dropped. However, in formal commands, 'Sie' must always be included.
Using 'Sind Sie' instead of 'Seien Sie'.
Sind Sie leise!Seien Sie leise!'Seien Sie' is the correct imperative form for the verb 'sein'. 'Sind Sie' is used for questions, not commands.
Incorrect word order (putting Sie first).
Sie warten hier!Warten Sie hier!Putting 'Sie' first makes it a statement ('You are waiting here') rather than a command ('Wait here!').
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the formal imperative, you need to know the formal pronoun 'Sie' and understand how to conjugate verbs in the present tense for that pronoun. Additionally, understanding the inverted word order used in questions helps in placing the verb before the pronoun.
Related Patterns
- Command Form (du)
The informal singular version of this command form.
Level 1 - Command Form (ihr)
The informal plural version used for groups of friends or children.
Level 1 - wir/ihr/sie/SiePersonal Pronouns Plural and Formal
Explains the formal pronoun 'Sie' used in this pattern.
Level 1 - Separable Verbs
Explains how prefixes move to the end, which also happens in the imperative.
Level 2 - bitte/dankePlease/Thank You
Essential for softening formal commands to make them polite.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Command Form (Sie) in Bubblegum
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