Negative Commands
For one person, use nu + short infinitive without a: Nu pleca! For several people or polite address, the form usually matches the voi present: Nu plecați! The verb a fi uses Nu fiți!
How It Works
Negative commands begin with nu.
One person: Use nu + the short infinitive without a: Nu pleca!, Nu face asta!, Nu veni!, Nu fi trist! This differs from several affirmative commands: Fă!, Vino!, Fii!.
Several people or polite address: The negative imperative usually matches the second-person plural present indicative: Nu plecați!, Nu faceți asta! The verb a fi is an exception: Nu fiți!, not nu sunteți as a command.
Pronouns: Clitics precede the verb in a negative command: Nu mă suna!, Nu-l lua!, Nu-mi spune!
Să commands: A construction such as Să nu uiți! can express a reminder or warning. Depending on tone and context, it can be firm as well as gentle.
Examples (5)
- Nu face gălăgie, bebelușul doarme!
Don't make noise, the baby is sleeping!
Word by Word: Not do noise, the baby sleeps!
Uses the short infinitive 'face' for a singular command.
- Vă rog, nu plecați încă!
Please, don't leave yet!
Word by Word: You please, not leave yet!
Uses the plural indicative form 'plecați' for a polite/plural command.
- Nu te uita înapoi!
Don't look back!
Word by Word: Not yourself look back!
Shows the reflexive pronoun 'te' moving before the verb in the negative form.
- Nu fi trist, totul va fi bine.
Don't be sad, everything will be fine.
Word by Word: Not be sad, everything will be well.
The verb 'a fi' uses its short infinitive 'fi' (one 'i') in the negative singular.
- Nu-mi spune ce să fac!
Don't tell me what to do!
Word by Word: Not-to-me tell what that I-do!
The indirect clitic 'mi' is placed between 'nu' and the verb 'spune'.
Common Mistakes
Using the affirmative singular form for a negative command.
Nu vino aici!Nu veni aici!Learners often try to negate the affirmative form (Vino!). However, the negative singular must use the short infinitive (a veni -> veni).
Spelling the negative singular of 'a fi' with two 'i's.
Nu fii supărat.Nu fi supărat.The affirmative is 'fii' (two 'i's), but the negative uses the short infinitive 'fi' (one 'i').
Keeping the pronoun at the end of the verb.
Nu du-te!Nu te duce!In negative commands, pronouns must move to the front (proclisis) and the verb returns to its infinitive stem (duce).
How It Connects
Learn This First
Learn nu and the short infinitive without a for singular prohibitions. Plural prohibitions usually match the voi present form, but a fi uses fiți: Nu fiți triști! Pronouns precede the verb in negative commands.
Related Patterns
- Irregular Commands
Negative commands are often easier because they use the infinitive, whereas affirmative commands have many irregular stems.
Level 4 - Clitics With Commands
Explains how pronouns attach to the end of affirmative commands, contrasting with the front-placement in negative commands.
Level 4 - să + Present SubjunctiveThe Să Construction
The subjunctive (e.g., 'să nu pleci') is often used as a softer, alternative way to give negative commands.
Level 2 - te rog / vă rogPlease
These phrases are essential for making direct negative commands socially acceptable and polite.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice Negative Commands in Bubblegum
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