Japanese Imperative Form: Mastering Casual Commands (Meireikei)

Japanese has many ways to ask someone to do something. You know ~te kudasai for being polite. You might know ~nasai for being firm like a parent. The imperative form sits at the very bottom of the politeness ladder. It doesn't use any "please" or "would you." It just gives the action. It is high impact and very low politeness. Most of the time, the subject is omitted because it’s obvious. You are shouting at someone right in front of you. Yes, even native speakers find this form intimidating sometimes. It’s basically the linguistic equivalent of a pointed finger. Think of it like a verbal exclamation mark.

1. 1Conjugating verbs into the imperative form depends on the verb group. It’s actually quite logical once you see the pattern!
2. 2Group 1 (Godan Verbs / U-verbs): Change the final u vowel sound to its e counterpart.
3. 3kaku (write) → kake (Write!)
4. 4nomu (drink) → nome (Drink!)
5. 5iku (go) → ike (Go!)
6. 6matsu (wait) → mate (Wait!)
7. 7Group 2 (Ichidan Verbs / Ru-verbs): Drop the final ru and add ro.
8. 8taberu (eat) → tabero (Eat!)
9. 9miru (see/watch) → miro (Look!)
10. 10nigeru (run away) → nigero (Run!)
11. 11Irregular Verbs: These just need to be memorized.
12. 12suru (do) → shiro (Do it!)
13. 13kuru (come) → koi (Come here!)
14. 14Negative Imperative: This is even easier! Just add na to the dictionary form.
15. 15taberu na (Don't eat!)
16. 16iku na (Don't go!)

You won't use this at a fancy dinner. But you will see it in specific spots. Use it during emergencies. If a car is coming, shout abunai! tomare! (Danger! Stop!). It is very common in sports. Coaches shout hashire! (Run!) at their players. You will see it on traffic signs and public warnings. tomare (Stop) is written on roads everywhere. It’s also the language of manuals and slogans. In a military or police context, it’s standard. And of course, anime and manga are full of it. If you're a gritty hero, you don't say "please."

Basically, don't use this in 95% of your daily life. Never use it with your boss or teachers. You will sound like you are trying to start a fight. Avoid it with strangers or people you don't know well. Even with friends, it can be too harsh. Unless you are playing a very intense video game together. Women traditionally use this form much less than men. They might use the ~nasai form or just a sharp dictionary form for negative commands. Think of it like a loaded gun. Don't point it at anyone unless you mean it!

The biggest mistake is overusing it. Beginners often think it’s the standard way to say "do this." It isn't! Another mistake is confusing ~ro and ~re. Remember, ~ro is for ru-verbs and ~re is for u-verbs. Also, don't forget the irregulars. Shouting sure! instead of shiro will just make people confused. Finally, watch your tone. If you say tabero with a smile, it might pass as a joke. If you say it with a scowl, prepare for an argument. Even native speakers mess up the social timing sometimes.

Let’s compare the "Stop" commands.

• yamete kudasai: "Please stop." (Polite, standard)
• yamenasai: "Stop it now." (Authoritative, like a mom)
• yamero: "STOP!" (Blunt, masculine, urgent)
• yameru na: "Don't stop!" (Negative command)

Notice how the feeling changes? Meireikei is the fastest way to get results. But it’s also the fastest way to lose friends. ~nasai is used by people in power over subordinates. Meireikei is used when politeness is a luxury you can't afford. It’s the difference between a polite request and a barked order.