Translation guide
The English imperative is used for commands, requests, instructions, and suggestions. Japanese has multiple ways to express these, ranging from harsh commands to polite requests. The choice depends on social context, politeness, and the relationship between speaker and listener.
Giving a direct order to someone of equal or lower status, or in informal situations. Can sound harsh if used inappropriately.
The plain imperative form. For godan verbs, change the final -u to -e (e.g., 行く → 行け). For ichidan verbs, replace -る with -ろ (e.g., 食べる → 食べろ). This is very direct and can be rude; used among close friends, in emergencies, or in masculine speech.
Negative imperative: 'Don't do V'. Attach な to the dictionary form of the verb. Also very direct and potentially rude.
The te-form can be used as a casual imperative, especially for requests or instructions. Softer than the plain imperative but still informal.
Wait a moment.
Asking someone to do something politely. Appropriate for most daily interactions with strangers, acquaintances, or superiors.
Standard polite request: 'Please do V'. Use the te-form of the verb plus ください. Safe for most situations.
Giving step-by-step instructions, recipes, or directions. Often uses plain forms or specific patterns.
Also used for polite instructions, such as in manuals or when guiding someone.
Please turn right.
Softly urging someone to do something, making a suggestion, or encouraging action.
'How about doing V?' or 'Why don't you V?'. A common way to make a suggestion. Can be shortened to V-たら？ in casual speech.
Expressing that something must not be done, often with a sense of obligation or rule.
'You must not V' or 'It's not allowed to V'. The standard way to express prohibition. Can be made polite as V-てはいけません.
Quoting a command or request indirectly.
'Tell someone to do V'. Use the dictionary form + ように + 言う (or other communication verbs). This is the standard way to report an imperative.
English imperatives like 'Sit down' or 'Come here' can sound extremely rude if directly translated into Japanese using the plain imperative form (座れ, 来い). Always consider the relationship and use appropriate politeness levels. When in doubt, use ～てください or a softer request form.
Please sit down.
The plain imperative (行け) is for close friends, emergencies, or when giving orders in hierarchical settings (e.g., military, sports). The ～て form (行って) is a casual request. ～てください is a polite request. ～ is a very polite request. Choose based on the social distance and situation.
Don't forget!
Come here.
Please write your name here.
Please wait a moment.
Polite negative request: 'Please don't do V'. Use the nai-form minus い plus でください.
Please don't take photos here.
Please don't smoke.
A polite request asking if someone would do something for you. Literally 'Won't you do V for me?'. More indirect and considerate than ～てください.
Would you open the window?
Very polite request, humble form. Used when asking a superior or customer. Literally 'Could I possibly receive the favor of you doing V?'.
Could you please wait a moment?
In written instructions (e.g., recipes, manuals), the masu-stem alone can be used as a concise imperative. Common in formal or technical writing.
Press the button and turn on the power.
Wash the vegetables and cut them.
Used in rules or prohibitions, often on signs. 'Do V' or 'You must V'. The dictionary form + こと acts as a strong instruction.
Do not run in the hallway.
Why don't you rest a bit?
Why not ask him?
'You should V' or 'It would be good if you V'. Gives advice or a suggestion. Often used with のに for regret.
I should have come earlier.
Polite volitional form used for 'Let's V'. Can also be a polite imperative in some contexts, like a doctor saying 'Let's take a deep breath'.
Let's begin.
You must not play here.
Casual prohibition: 'Don't V' or 'V is no good'. Stronger and more direct than ～てはいけない in casual speech.
Don't say things like that.
Archaic/literary prohibition: 'Thou shalt not V'. Seen on old signs or in formal writing. Attach to dictionary form.
Do not enter.
Please tell him to come quickly.
'Tell someone not to do V'. Use dictionary form + な + と言う.
The teacher told us not to be late.
In English imperatives, 'you' is often implied. In Japanese, using the person's name or title can soften the command and make it more personal. For example, 'Ken, please come here' → 健さん、ちょっと来てください。