Singular Imperative
The singular imperative is the simplest way to tell one person to do something. It is direct and informal, perfect for close friends or children.
How It Works
While the basic rule is to just use the bare verb stem, there are a few important conditions to remember to sound natural in Swahili:
- Standard Verbs: Verbs ending in -a stay exactly the same after dropping ku- (e.g., kuandika → Andika!).
- Arabic Loanwords: Verbs ending in -e, -i, or -u also just drop the ku- and keep their final vowel (e.g., kufikiri → Fikiri!).
- Short Verbs: To keep the rhythm of the language, verbs with only one syllable in the stem must keep their ku- prefix. For example, kula (to eat) stays Kula! (Eat!). See Ku- Retention in Short Verbs.
- Adding an Object: If you add an object prefix (like "me" or "him") to a standard verb, the final -a MUST change to -e. For example, saidia (help) becomes nisaidie! (help me!). This rule also applies to the reflexive prefix ji- (e.g., kujifunza → Jifunze!). However, Arabic loanwords ending in -e, -i, or -u do NOT change their final vowel when an object prefix is added (e.g., kusamehe + ni- → Nisamehe!). Furthermore, if you add an object prefix to a short (monosyllabic) verb, the object prefix takes the stress, so the ku- is dropped (e.g., kupa + ni- → Nipe!). Note that the verb -pa (to give) is unique because it always requires an object prefix and cannot be used as a bare command (there is no 'Kupa!').
Three Irregular Verbs:
There are three very common verbs that have special command forms:
- kuja (to come) → njoo!
- kwenda (to go) → nenda!
- kuleta (to bring) → lete!
Important Rules for Commands:
- Strictly Singular: This form is strictly for addressing exactly one person. Using it for multiple people is grammatically incorrect. For groups, you must use the Plural Imperative -eni.
- Negative Commands: To tell someone NOT to do something, you cannot use this form. Instead, you must use the Singular Negative Command (e.g., usisome! - do not read!).
- Politeness: The imperative is very direct. If you are speaking to an elder, a stranger, or a boss, it is better to use the Subjunctive -e (e.g., usome) for a softer, more polite request.
Examples (6)
- Soma kitabu vizuri!
Read the book well!
Word by Word: Read book well!
A standard Bantu verb where the ku- prefix is simply removed.
- Fikiri sana!
Think hard!
Word by Word: Think very-much!
An Arabic loanword ending in -i. It keeps its final vowel.
- Kula chakula chako!
Eat your food!
Word by Word: Eat food your!
A monosyllabic verb. It must keep the ku- prefix to sound correct.
- Nipe kitabu!
Give me the book!
Word by Word: Give-me book!
Because the object prefix ni- (me) is attached to the short verb kupa (to give), the ku- prefix is dropped and the final vowel changes to -e.
- Jifunze Kiswahili!
Learn Swahili!
Word by Word: Learn Swahili!
The reflexive prefix ji- (oneself) acts like an object prefix, so the final vowel changes from -a to -e.
- Njoo hapa sasa hivi!
Come here right now!
Word by Word: Come here now this!
The irregular imperative form of kuja (to come).
Common Mistakes
Dropping the 'ku-' prefix on short, one-syllable verbs.
La chakula chako!Kula chakula chako!Monosyllabic verbs like kula (to eat) and kunywa (to drink) must keep their ku- prefix in the imperative to satisfy Swahili's stress rules.
Forgetting to change the final '-a' to '-e' when adding an object prefix.
Nisaidia tafadhali!Nisaidie tafadhali!When you attach an object prefix like ni- (me) to a standard Bantu verb, the final vowel must change from -a to -e.
Trying to make a negative command by adding a negative prefix to the bare stem.
Sisoma kitabu!Usisome kitabu!To tell someone NOT to do something, you cannot use the imperative form. You must use the negative subjunctive pattern.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the singular imperative, you need to understand the basic components of a Swahili verb, specifically how to isolate the verb stem and its final vowel from the standard verb template.
- Verb Slot Order
Understanding the basic structure of a Swahili verb is necessary to identify the verb stem and final vowel used in the imperative.
Foundations - The Final Vowel
The imperative singular relies on the standard final vowel 'a' for Bantu verbs, so understanding how final vowels function is essential.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- -eSubjunctive -e
The subjunctive is used instead of the imperative when you want to make a polite request rather than a direct order.
Level 3 - -eniPlural Imperative -eni
Use the plural imperative when you need to give a command to two or more people.
Level 1 - usi-Singular Negative Command
This is the required pattern for telling someone not to do something, as the imperative cannot be made negative directly.
Level 1 - Ku- Retention in Short Verbs
Explains the specific rules for why short verbs like kula and kunywa keep their ku- prefix in commands.
Level 3
Practice Singular Imperative in Bubblegum
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