-a (imperativ)

Command Form

Level 1

For regular first-conjugation -ar verbs, the imperative matches the infinitive: tala! and lyssna! Other groups have their own forms.

How It Works

The imperative is used to tell someone to do something. It's the command form of a verb, like "Listen!" or "Speak!".

For verbs belonging to the first conjugation (-ar verbs), forming the imperative is very simple: you just use the infinitive form of the verb.

  • Infinitive: att tala (to speak)
  • Imperative: Tala! (Speak!)
  • Infinitive: att lyssna (to listen)
  • Imperative: Lyssna! (Listen!)

You can add snälla (please) at the beginning or end of the sentence. It can signal a plea or insistence as well as politeness, depending on delivery.

To make a negative command, you place inte (not) after the verb.
Example: Arbeta inte! (Don't work!)

While this pattern focuses on verbs where the command form ends in -a, be aware that other verb groups form the imperative differently (often by removing the -a from the infinitive).

A basic imperative normally leaves its understood du or ni subject unstated. The same form addresses one or several people: Lyssna! It can also offer advice or make a request, rather than only giving an order.

Examples (5)

  1. Tala svenska med mig!

    Speak Swedish with me!

    Word by Word: Speak Swedish with me!

    'Tala' is the command form of 'att tala' (to speak).

  2. Lyssna på musiken.

    Listen to the music.

    Word by Word: Listen on the music.

    'Lyssna' is the imperative of 'att lyssna' (to listen).

  3. Fråga din lärare.

    Ask your teacher.

    Word by Word: Ask your teacher.

  4. Arbeta inte för hårt.

    Don't work too hard.

    Word by Word: Work not too hard.

    To form a negative command, 'inte' is placed after the verb.

  5. Snälla, vänta en minut.

    Please, wait a minute.

    Word by Word: Please, wait one minute.

    Snälla can make a request sound pleading or insistent as well as courteous; its effect depends on tone and context.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the imperative with the present tense.

    Talar långsamt!
    Tala långsamt!

    For a direct imperative with tala, use tala rather than present talar. A present-tense sentence can sometimes function as an instruction, but it is a different construction and normally includes a subject.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-a (imperativ)Level 1Command Form

Learn This First

To form the imperative in Swedish, you need to understand the basic structure of verbs and their stems. Since the imperative is often described as the present tense minus the '-r' suffix, familiarity with basic verb conjugation and the specific '-ar' verb group is required.