Grammar Index | Imperative Quiz | Courses | Norwegian Department | St. Olaf College

Basic Rules --- Verbs: Imperative Form

Description

We use the imperative form of the verb to make requests, give directions or instructions, and give orders or commands.

Kom hit! (Come here!) -- Sitt ned! (Sit down!) --- Vær stille! (Be quiet!)
Ta til venstre! (Turn left!) --- Hjelp! (Help!) --- Spis maten din! (Eat your food!)

Basic Rules

  1. In Norwegian, the imperative is formed by dropping the -e from the infinitive, if there is one.

    infinitive (spise) ----- imperative (spis)
    infinitive (ta) --------- imperative (ta)

Chart of the Imperative Form

Infinitive

Imperative (positive)

Imperative (negative)

gjøre
(do)

Gjør det!
(Do it!)

Ikke gjør det! | Gjør ikke det!
(Don't do it!)

snakke
(talk/speak)

Snakk norsk!
(Speak Norwegian!)

Ikke snakk norsk! | Snakk ikke norsk!
(Don't speak Norwegian!)

gå
(go)

Gå hjem!
(Go home!)

Ikke gå hjem! | Gå ikke hjem!
(Don't go home!)

Quiz of Imperative Verbs


If you have questions or comments, please send e-mail to Nancy Aarsvold
Last updated on November 9, 1996

Grammar Index | Imperative Quiz | Courses | Norwegian Department | St. Olaf College