Imperative and Prohibitive: Commands
Quick Answer: Imperative: Group 1 changes u→e (行く→行け), Group 2 changes る→ろ (食べる→食べろ), する→しろ, 来る→来い. Prohibitive: dictionary form + な (行くな = don't go).
Giving direct orders and prohibitions in Japanese
Category: Verb Forms
The Rule
Imperative: Group 1 changes u→e (行く→行け), Group 2 changes る→ろ (食べる→食べろ), する→しろ, 来る→来い. Prohibitive: dictionary form + な (行くな = don't go). These are strong, direct commands — often rude outside specific contexts.
Why This Matters
English 'Go!' and 'Don't go!' are neutral commands. Japanese imperatives are much stronger and often aggressive. They're used by bosses to subordinates, in emergencies, sports coaching, or rough male speech. For polite commands, use て-ください instead.
Examples
• 早く起きろ！ — "Wake up now!" [Strong command: 起きる → 起きろ] • 触るな！ — "Don't touch!" [Prohibitive: 触る + な = prohibition] • 頑張れ！ — "Do your best! / You can do it!" [Encouraging imperative — acceptable at sports events, cheering] • ここに来い。 — "Come here." [来る → 来い (irregular imperative)]
Common Mistakes
❌ 食べれ ✅ 食べろ → Group 2 imperative is ろ, not れ. 食べれ would be confused with the potential form (食べれる colloquial) ❌ 行けな ✅ 行くな → Prohibitive uses dictionary form + な, not imperative + な. 行くな = don't go. 行けな is incorrect
Quick Tip
In daily life, use てください for requests and ないでください for prohibitions. Reserve the imperative/prohibitive for understanding manga, anime, sports, and emergencies.
In daily life, use てください for requests and ないでください for prohibitions. Reserve the imperative/prohibitive for understanding manga, anime, sports, and emergencies.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: 食べれ → Correct: 食べろ. Group 2 imperative is ろ, not れ. 食べれ would be confused with the potential form (食べれる colloquial)
Incorrect: 行けな → Correct: 行くな. Prohibitive uses dictionary form + な, not imperative + な. 行くな = don't go. 行けな is incorrect
Quiz
Which is the prohibitive (don't!) form of 入る (hairu)?