Polite Imperative with ви

Level 2Sounds Like vvíčlivij nakazovij z vi

In Ukrainian, the plural 'you' (ви) is used to address one person formally. This applies to the imperative (commands/requests) as well, using the plural endings -іть or -те.

How It Works

The polite imperative is identical in form to the second-person plural imperative. Even when addressing one person, you use the plural endings based on the verb's stem and stress. The pronoun ви is usually omitted unless needed for emphasis.

  • -іть: Used when the ending is stressed or follows a consonant cluster (e.g., пишіть, ідіть). If the verb is reflexive, the ending is -іться.
  • -те: Used when the stem is stressed and the singular imperative ends in a consonant, a soft sign (ь), or -й (e.g., сядьте, читайте). The soft sign is retained before -те (e.g., станьте, будьте).
  • Consonant Mutations: If the verb stem ends in г, к, х, these change to ж, ч, ш before the imperative ending (e.g., бігти → біжіть, пекти → печіть).
  • Stressed prefix ви-: If a verb has the stressed prefix ви-, it takes the imperative ending of the unprefixed verb (e.g., пишіть → випишіть).
  • -ся / -сь: The reflexive suffix choice depends on the preceding sound. Use -ся after the consonant in -іть (дивіться). After the vowel in -те, both -ся and -сь are grammatically correct (вмивайтеся or вмивайтесь).

Usage Note:
Avoid using 'Давайте' + infinitive for requests. The imperfective aspect often sounds like a warm invitation, while the perfective aspect is used for specific, completed requests.

Examples (5)

  1. Заходьте, будь ласка, ми вас чекаємо.

    Please come in, we are expecting you.

    Word by Word: Come in, please, we you are waiting.

    The imperfective 'заходьте' is used here as a warm, polite invitation.

  2. Скажіть, будь ласка, як дійти до центру?

    Tell me, please, how do I get to the center?

    Word by Word: Tell, please, how to get to center?

    The perfective 'скажіть' is used for a specific, one-time request for information.

  3. Зачекайте хвилину, я зараз повернусь.

    Wait a minute, I'll be right back.

    Word by Word: Wait minute, I now will return.

    The plural form 'зачекайте' is used to address a single person respectfully in a professional setting.

  4. Вмивайтеся швидше, сніданок уже на столі.

    Wash up faster, breakfast is already on the table.

    Word by Word: Wash-self faster, breakfast already on table.

    After the vowel in '-те', both 'вмивайтеся' and 'вмивайтесь' are correct, though '-сь' is often preferred for brevity.

  5. Біжіть швидше, поїзд уже відходить!

    Run faster, the train is already leaving!

    Word by Word: Run faster, train already leaves!

    Note the consonant change: the 'г' in the stem of 'бігти' changes to 'ж' in the imperative 'біжіть'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the informal 'ти' form with a stranger.

    Скажи, де метро?
    Скажіть, будь ласка, де метро?

    Using the singular imperative 'скажи' with someone you don't know well is considered rude or condescending in Ukrainian culture.

  • Using the statement 'Ви пишете' when you want to give a command.

    Different MeaningВи пишете листа.
    Пишіть листа!

    Ви пишете листа is correct, but it means 'You are writing a letter.' For the command 'Write!', use Пишіть листа! The stress differs too: ви́ пишете (stem) is a statement, пиші́ть (ending) is a command.

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Polite Imperative with виLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn the polite imperative, you need to understand the concept of the formal 'you' (ви) and how it differs from the informal 'ти'. Additionally, familiarity with the standard second-person plural verb endings and the use of 'будь ласка' (please) is necessary to form natural-sounding polite requests.

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