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AP Italian Language & Culture · Unit 5: Contemporary Life

5.3 The Imperative (Commands)

Informal commands

The imperativo gives orders. Informal tu: for -are verbs use the -a form ('Parla!'), for -ere/-ire the normal form ('Prendi!,' 'Dormi!'). 'Noi' = 'let's' ('Parliamo!').

Formal (Lei)

The formal Lei command uses the subjunctive: 'Parli!,' 'Prenda!' Used politely with strangers or elders.

Negative tu

The negative tu command uses non + infinitive: 'Non parlare!' (Don't speak!), 'Non correre!' (Don't run!).

Key terms

Informal tu (-are)
uses -a form: Parla! Mangia!
Informal tu (-ere/-ire)
normal form: Prendi! Dormi!
Formal Lei
uses subjunctive: Parli! Prenda!
noi command
'let's': Parliamo! Mangiamo!
Negative tu
non + infinitive: Non parlare!

Try an AP-style question

The tu imperative of "parlare" is…

  1. Parli!
  2. Parla!
  3. Parliamo!
  4. Parlate!
Show the answer

B. -are → -a.

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