Imperative Phrases
祈使句
The imperative phrase expresses an order, request, or suggestion. Please soften the imperative. Don't use 不 to express prohibition.
Structure
(Please) + Verb Don't + Verb (prohibition)
Elements
Imperative Phrase
How to use it
- Please makes the imperative polite: Please sit (Please sit, if you please).
- Don't for prohibitions: Don't speak!
Examples
请坐！
qǐng zuò！
Please sit (Please sit, if you please).
不要说话！
búyào shuōhuà
Don't speak!
快来！
kuài lái！
Come quickly!
Notes and exceptions
- Without Please, the imperative can be abrupt.
Common mistakes
- Don't forget to be polite in requests with Please.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Please makes the imperative polite: Please sit (Please sit, if you please).)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Don't for prohibitions: Don't speak!)