Use of Imperative

Posted on November 9, 2013 Updated on November 9, 2013

Learners! Today I am going to show you how to use Imperative(आदेशसूचक) .

The Imperative denotes command, order, request, prohibition, entreaty etc. In this article we will learn about the usage of ‘You’ in Hindi language. i.e. thou, you, you-respect (तू, तुम, आप).

तू (Tu) is used in addressing God, servants, or children and in affection for mother, sister, younger brother etc. or for expressing strong feelings like contempt or anger.

तुम (Tum) is used in addressing family members, equals, servants and juniors.

आप (Aap) is the polite and respectful form of address for all, both in singular and in plural. It is used an addressing strangers and super minors. As there is only one you in English for singular-plural-respect, ‘Aap’ is translated as ‘you please’.

When तुम (Tum ) is subject, ओ (O) (letter or sound) is appended to the verb e.g. You (please) come- तुम आओ, You read- तुम पढ़ो ।

When आप (aap) is subject. इए (ea) (letter or sound) is appended to the verb e.g. You (please) speak- आप बोलिए (बोल + इए)। You read – आप पढ़िये(पढ़ + इए). ea is showing more politeness.

Other examples:

You go- sleep-bring-eat-write-play-see

तुम जाओ- सोओ- लाओ- खाओ-लिखो-खेलो-देखो
आप जाइए- सोइए- लाइए- खाइए- लिखिये- खेलिए- देखिए

The negative or prohibitive form of the Imperative is obtained by placing मत (matt) or न (na). immediately before the verb.

Of the two, न (na) is polite but weak. मत (Matt) is empathetic but less polite. नहीं(Nahin) is never used in Imperative.

तुम कुर्सी पर मत बैठो। Tum kursi par mat baitho. Don’t sit on the chair.

तुम न जाओ। Tum na jaao. Don’t go.

तुम इस काम को मत करो। Tum is kaam ko mat karo. Don’t do this work.