Italian · Chapter 2 · Lesson 21 · Grammar primer
Aspetta! Guarda! Telling a friend what to do
The tu command of an -are verb ends in -a, and -ere and -ire verbs keep their -i. Andiamo is let's go, with no extra word.
The informal imperative: tu, noi, voi
Three persons, and two of them cost you nothing, because the and commands are just the present tense:
| person | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The only new form is with -are verbs, and it is the one to watch. The present says , you speak; the imperative says , speak! -Are verbs end in -a, and -ere and -ire verbs keep the -i of the present, so and are both statement and command.
! - Wait!
! - Come here!
piano. - Speak slowly.
! - Let's go!
a! - Come to dinner! (to several people)
The form is Italian's let's, with no extra word needed. is both we go and let's go, and the tone of voice does the rest.
Going further: The short forms and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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Lesson 21 of 24 in this chapter