The imperative
Giving orders and advice: continuous vs aorist imperative (γράφε / γράψε), polite plural and negation with μην.
Two stems
The imperative is built on two stems: the continuous stem for repeated action (γράφε! “keep writing”) and the aorist stem for a single action (γράψε! “write it now”). The singular ending is -ε.
- Γράψε το όνομά σου εδώ.Write your name here.
- Πίνε νερό κάθε μέρα.Drink water every day.
Plural and politeness
For several people, or to be polite, add -τε to the aorist stem: γράψτε, περιμένετε. This is the form used in instructions and announcements.
- Ανοίξτε τα βιβλία σας, παρακαλώ.Open your books, please.
- Περιμένετε ένα λεπτό.Wait a minute.
Negation with μην
The imperative has no negative form of its own: use μη(ν) + subjunctive. Μην γράφεις (don’t write, in general); μην γράψεις (don’t write it, this time).
- Μην ανησυχείς, όλα θα πάνε καλά.Don’t worry, everything will be fine.
Common irregular forms
A few very frequent imperatives are irregular and monosyllabic: έλα (come), πες (say), δες (look), βρες (find). Learn them by heart — you hear them every day.
- Έλα εδώ γρήγορα!Come here quickly!
| ρήμα | εσύ | εσείς |
|---|---|---|
| γράφω | γράψε | γράψτε |
| έρχομαι | έλα | ελάτε |
| λέω | πες | πείτε |
| βλέπω | δες | δείτε |
| βρίσκω | βρες | βρείτε |