The imperative form directly commands someone to perform an action. It is forceful and can sound very harsh unless authority, urgency, competition, or a formal directive makes that force appropriate.
When the directness is natural
The form presents the action as an order, not as a polite request. Its force is natural when immediate compliance matters, when a coach or other authority is giving an instruction, or when a conventional cheer or slogan deliberately uses strong language.
Urgency and competition
Danger and competitive settings provide a clear reason for the blunt command.
Instructions in examinations, regulations, and similarly formal writing may use an ichidan verb with よ, or the irregular form せよ. This sounds like an official directive rather than rough conversation.
The bare imperative is the bluntest positive command. An ending with なさい remains a downward command but is usually less abrupt, while てください is the ordinary polite request. To issue the opposite command—telling someone not to act—add な to the dictionary form.
