(Giovanni’s Parmigiana di Melanzane)
Giovanni’s Parmigiana di Melanzane!
The IMPERATIVE in Italian is a verbal mood used to give orders, instructions, advice, or to express invitations and encouragement. It is characterised by its direct and immediate function, making it particularly useful in everyday communication.
This article explores some fundamental features of the IMPERATIVE in Italian, with a focus on its grammatical peculiarities.
To do so, we will take inspiration from one of the most famous and delicious recipes of Italian cuisine: Parmigiana di Melanzane. In reality, there are many versions of this dish, but here we present Giovanni’s!
Give it a try and let us know if you liked it!
The forms of the IMPERATIVE in Italian
We notice that all the verb forms in bold in the text are in the IMPERATIVE.
The IMPERATIVE is a finite verbal mood (like the indicative, subjunctive, and conditional) used to express orders, invitations, requests, permissions, or advice. The imperative has only one tense: the present, as it would be impossible to give commands referring to the past. For commands referring to the future, the future indicative is used instead.
Additionally, the imperative has its own forms only for the 2nd person singular and 2nd person plural; for all other persons, the present subjunctive is used in an exhortative form.
The IMPERATIVE and the first-person singular
The imperative does not have a form for the first-person singular (io), as it is not logical to give orders to oneself. Instead, it is used from the second-person singular (tu) onwards. The formal form (Lei) uses the verb in the 3rd-person singular.
For the use of the courtesy form in Italian (Lei), read the articles:
The IMPERATIVE forms of the auxiliary verbs ESSERE and AVERE
The IMPERATIVE forms of regular verbs
The negative form of the IMPERATIVE in Italian
As with all verbs, non is simply added before the conjugated verb.
Giovanni: Eh, ma non pensate di aver finito qui!…
However, there is an exception for the 2nd-person singular:
Giovanni: Non mi prendere in giro e inforna la teglia, piuttosto!
In the 2nd-person singular, the verb’s infinitive is used, preceded by non.
Affirmative: Mangia! (Eat!)
Negative: Non mangiare! (Don’t eat!)
This structure makes the singular negative imperative unique compared to the other forms.
Monosyllabic verbs in the IMPERATIVE in Italian
Alcuni verbi irregolari all’imperativo e monosillabici presentano due forme alla 2° persona singolare.
When the verb is followed by a pronoun, elision is mandatory, and the pronoun’s initial consonant doubles:
Va’ + ci → Vacci! (Go there!)
Da’ + lo → Dallo! (Give it!)
Di’ + lo → Dillo! (Say it!)
Fa’ + lo → Fallo! (Do it!)
Sta’ + ci → Stacci! (Stay there!)
Note:
With the pronoun GLI, the initial consonant does not double:
Di’ + gli → Digli! (Tell him!)
The IMPERATIVE in Italian: position of pronouns in reflexive verbs
Giovanni: … Ricordati di farle tutte dello stesso spessore.
In reflexive and pronominal verbs, pronouns attach directly to the affirmative imperative form, except in the 3rd-person singular and plural.
All other pronouns, both direct and indirect, follow the same positioning:
Giovanni: … friggetele nell’olio ben caldo. Scolatele e distribuitele su della carta assorbente.
Giovanni: Brava, e un altro strato ancora, questo però lo faccia Teresa.
The IMPERATIVE in Italian: negative form of pronominal verbs
Giovanni: Non mi prendere / non prendermi in giro e inforna la teglia, piuttosto!
Maria: Maestro! Non si arrabbi, però!
In the negative form, pronouns can either precede the verb or remain attached to the infinitive (except in the 3rd-person singular and plural):
Conclusion
Despite its apparent simplicity, the Italian imperative has rules and peculiarities that require attention. Understanding its use not only helps to communicate effectively but also allows one to grasp important cultural nuances in the Italian language.