verbA1
Imperativ (bydeform)
[Imperative Mood (Commands)]The imperative mood expresses commands, instructions, advice, and recipes. The rule is simple: take the infinitive and drop '-e' (å hjelpe → Hjelp!). Verbs ending in a stressed vowel keep the same form (å gå → Gå!). Negative commands place 'Ikke' first (Ikke gå!).
1. How Is the Imperative Formed?
The imperative is the most concise form of the verb. Basic rule: take the infinitive and drop the final '-e':
Group / Rule
Standard: Infinitiv minus -e(Standard: Infinitive minus -e)
Infinitive
å hjelpe(to help)
Imperative
Hjelp!(Help!)
Example Sentence
Hjelp meg!(Help me!)
Group / Rule
Standard: Infinitiv minus -e(Standard: Infinitive minus -e)
Infinitive
å høre(to listen / to hear)
Imperative
Hør!(Listen!)
Example Sentence
Hør etter nå!(Listen carefully now!)
Group / Rule
Standard: Infinitiv minus -e(Standard: Infinitive minus -e)
Infinitive
å sitte(to sit)
Imperative
Sitt!(Sit!)
Example Sentence
Sitt stille på stolen!(Sit still on the chair!)
Group / Rule
Vokalender (ingen -e): Like former(Vowel ending (no -e): identical)
Infinitive
å gå(to go / to walk)
Imperative
Gå!(Go!)
Example Sentence
Gå rett fram!(Go straight ahead!)
Group / Rule
Vokalender (ingen -e): Like former(Vowel ending (no -e): identical)
Infinitive
å se(to look / to see)
Imperative
Se!(Look!)
Example Sentence
Se på bildet!(Look at the picture!)
Group / Rule
Vokalender (ingen -e): Like former(Vowel ending (no -e): identical)
Infinitive
å ta(to take)
Imperative
Ta!(Take!)
Example Sentence
Ta en kopp kaffe!(Have a cup of coffee!)
Group / Rule
Dobbelt -m forenkles til enkelt -m(Double -mm reduces to single -m)
Infinitive
å svømme(to swim)
Imperative
Svøm!(Swim!)
Example Sentence
Svøm til land!(Swim to shore!)
Group / Rule
Konsonantklynge (-le, -ne, -re): Valgfritt(Consonant clusters: optional -e)
Infinitive
å sykle / å åpne(to cycle / to open)
Imperative
Sykle! / Åpne!(Cycle! / Open!)
Example Sentence
Sykl(e) forsiktig! Åpn(e) døra!(Cycle carefully! Open the door!)
| Group / Rule | Infinitive | Imperative | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard: Infinitiv minus -eStandard: Infinitive minus -e | å hjelpeto help | Hjelp!Help! | Hjelp meg!Help me! |
Standard: Infinitiv minus -eStandard: Infinitive minus -e | å høreto listen / to hear | Hør!Listen! | Hør etter nå!Listen carefully now! |
Standard: Infinitiv minus -eStandard: Infinitive minus -e | å sitteto sit | Sitt!Sit! | Sitt stille på stolen!Sit still on the chair! |
Vokalender (ingen -e): Like formerVowel ending (no -e): identical | å gåto go / to walk | Gå!Go! | Gå rett fram!Go straight ahead! |
Vokalender (ingen -e): Like formerVowel ending (no -e): identical | å seto look / to see | Se!Look! | Se på bildet!Look at the picture! |
Vokalender (ingen -e): Like formerVowel ending (no -e): identical | å tato take | Ta!Take! | Ta en kopp kaffe!Have a cup of coffee! |
Dobbelt -m forenkles til enkelt -mDouble -mm reduces to single -m | å svømmeto swim | Svøm!Swim! | Svøm til land!Swim to shore! |
Konsonantklynge (-le, -ne, -re): ValgfrittConsonant clusters: optional -e | å sykle / å åpneto cycle / to open | Sykle! / Åpne!Cycle! / Open! | Sykl(e) forsiktig! Åpn(e) døra!Cycle carefully! Open the door! |
In Norwegian spelling, words never end in double -mm. Hence: å svømme → Svøm!, å drømme → Drøm!. Verbs with heavy consonant clusters (sykle, åpne) may optionally keep the final -e to ease pronunciation.
2. Usage: Commands, Recipes & Negation with 'Ikke'
A. Direct orders, emergency shouts, and warnings:
Hør! Noen banker på døra.Listen! Someone is knocking on the door.
Hjelp! Bilen min har punktert.Help! My car has a flat tire.
Sitt stille og hør etter!Sit still and listen!
B. Cooking recipes and step-by-step manuals:
In Norwegian cooking recipes, imperative is the universal standard for step instructions:
Skjær tomater og løk i tynne skiver.Slice tomatoes and onions thinly.
Stek kjøttet på høy varme i fem minutter.Fry the meat on high heat for five minutes.
Kok risen under lokk på svak varme.Boil the rice covered on low heat.
C. Negative commands and prohibitions with 'Ikke':
To order someone NOT to do something, place 'Ikke' at the very start of the sentence:
Ikke gå på gresset!Do not walk on the grass!
Ikke kyss meg nå!Don't kiss me right now!
Ikke glem passet ditt før du drar til flyplassen.Don't forget your passport before leaving for the airport.
Ikke vær redd!Don't be afraid!
D. Politeness and exclamation marks:
Bruk utropstegn (!) etter kraftige instruksjoner eller rop: STOPP! HJELP!Use exclamation marks (!) after strong orders or emergency calls: STOP! HELP!
Høflig hverdagsanmodning: 'Vær så snill og lukk vinduet' eller 'Kunne du lukke vinduet?' (mildere enn 'Lukk vinduet!').Polite phrasing: 'Vær så snill og lukk vinduet' or 'Kunne du lukke vinduet?' softens the command.