Imperative mood (तुम): verb stem + ओ

This grammar point is all about the imperative mood. That is just a fancy way of saying "giving orders or requests." In English, we just say "Go!" or "Eat!" regardless of who we are talking to. In Hindi, we change the ending of the verb to show the level of respect. When you use the pronoun तुम, you are signaling a level of familiarity. You are saying, "We are on the same level." To make this work, you take the base of any verb and add a specific sound to the end. It is one of the most consistent patterns in the language, making it a favorite for new learners. Yes, even native speakers mess up the formal versions, but the तुम form is hard to get wrong once you find the rhythm.

1. 1Creating these commands is as easy as making instant noodles. Just follow these three steps:
2. 2Find the infinitive verb. In Hindi, these always end in ना (na). Examples: बोलना (to speak), खाना (to eat), बैठना (to sit).
3. 3Remove the ना ending. This leaves you with the "verb stem." For बोलना, the stem is बोल. For खाना, the stem is खा.
4. 4Add the suffix ओ (o) to the stem.
5. 5Let's see it in action:
6. 6बोल + ओ = बोलो (Speak!)
7. 7बैठ + ओ = बैठो (Sit!)
8. 8रुक + ओ = रुको (Stop!)
9. 9There are four "rebel" verbs that do not follow the rules perfectly. You just have to memorize these, but they are very common:
10. 10देना (to give) becomes दो (do)
11. 11लेना (to take) becomes लो (lo)
12. 12पीना (to drink) becomes पियो (piyo)
13. 13करना (to do) becomes करो (karo)

Think of this as your "casual Friday" grammar. You use it in real-world scenarios where you feel comfortable.

• Ordering Food: If you are at a street stall getting spicy चाट (chaat), you can tell the vendor मिर्च कम डालो (Put less chili). Since it is a casual setting, the तुम form is perfectly acceptable.
• With Friends: You are at the movies and your friend is talking. You can whisper चुप रहो (Keep quiet).
• Asking Directions: If you ask a teenager on the street for the way to the station, you might say बताओ, स्टेशन कहाँ है? (Tell me, where is the station?).
• At Home: Telling your younger brother to पढ़ाई करो (Do your studies) is a classic use case.

It is the language of action, friendship, and daily chores. It makes you sound like a local rather than a textbook.

Context is king in India. Using the तुम form in the wrong place can be like wearing flip-flops to a job interview.

• Elders: Never use this with your parents, grandparents, or anyone significantly older. It sounds disrespectful.
• Formal Settings: If you are in a job interview or talking to a government official, stick to the आप form.
• Strangers (Formal): If you are asking a high-ranking official or an elderly shopkeeper for help, the तुम form might come off as a bit rude.
• First Meetings: When in doubt, start with आप. If they start using तुम with you, you can usually switch back. Think of it like a grammar traffic light—wait for the green light of familiarity before you cross into तुम territory.

Even though it is simple, there are a few banana peels you might slip on.

• The करओ Trap: Many learners try to add ओ to the full stem of करना and say करओ. Don't do it! It is always करो.
• Mixing Levels: Don't say आप बैठो. That is like saying "Sir, sit down dude." It mixes formal and informal. If you use आप, use the इए ending. If you use तुम, use the ओ ending.
• Forgetting the पियो Spelling: When adding ओ to पी (drink), we add a small य (y) sound to make it flow better. So it is पियो, not पीओ.
• Being Too Bossy: Just because you can use the imperative doesn't mean you should bark orders. Adding a जरा (just/please) before the verb softens the blow, like जरा सुनो (Just listen).

To understand तुम, you have to see its neighbors.

• The तू Form (Intimate): तू कर. This is just the stem. It is very sharp. Use it for your dog or your childhood best friend who won't get offended.
• The तुम Form (Casual): तुम करो. The middle ground we are learning now. Friendly and standard.
• The आप Form (Formal): आप करिए. This is the "suit and tie" version. Use it to show high respect.