Creating the
imperative form in Arabic is easy --
The imperative uses the
infinitive form of the verb without 'to':
to go ---> go!
to sit --> sit!
to eat --> eat!
to go = infinitive
go! = imperative
We usually use the imperative on the second person (singular or
plural):
you =
inta, inti, and intu(um).
|
1st
person |
I/we |
|
2nd
person |
you |
|
3rd
person |
he/she/they |
The second person addresses people directly (face-to-face) -- to command them.
Notice below an alif is added without a hamza for the
imperative.
Also, the alif carries a kasra in the imperative.
Additional side note: Unless the verb has a damma in
the middle radical in the indicative the alif carries a kasra in the imperative.
The last of the three examples
below (0-3) does demonstrate a middle radical with a damma.
View from right to left past tense, present tense, and
imperative mood:
|
0-1
0-2
0-3
|
رَجَعَ --- يَرْجِعُ --- اِرْجِعْ
سَمَعَ --- يَسْمَعُ --- اِسْمَع
كَتَبَ --- يَكْتُبُ
---
اُكْتُبْ |
|
MSA/Classical has a dual and
plural
feminine imperative
as well. |
An example of the
imperative for the verb daxal (he entered).
|
Example |
| |
أنا
ana
(no imperative) |
|
إحنا
iḥna
(no imperative) |
|
أنْتَ تَدْخُلُ
إنْتَ تِدْخُلْ
1
inta tidkhul |
|
اُدْخُلْ
اِدْخُلْ
id/khul
Enter! |
|
أنْتُمْ تَدْخُلونَ
إنْتُمْ تِدْخُلوا
2
intu(m)
tidkhulu |
|
اُدْخُلوا
اِدْخُلـُوا
id/khu/lu
Enter! |
3
|
أنْتِ
تَدْخُلينَ |
|
اُدْخُلي
Enter! |
2-1
|
أنْتُما تَدْخُلانِ |
|
اُدْخُلا
Enter! |
3-1
|
إنْتِ تِدْخُلي
3
inti
tidkhuli |
|
اِدْخُلـي
id/khu/li
Enter! |
|
|
|
|
|
أنْتُنَّ
تَدْخُلْنَ |
|
اُدْخُلْنَ
Enter! |
|
|
|
|
| |
هو
howwa (no imperative)
|
|
هم
homma (no imperative) |
| |
هي
hiyya (no imperative) |
|
|
 |
Keep on going! You're almost there. |
