Mastering the Russian Imperative: Polite vs. Strong Commands
The Russian language has a remarkable ability to convey tone, urgency, and nuance not just through vocabulary but also through grammatical choices, and nowhere is this more evident than in the imperative mood. While in English the difference between “Sit down!” and “Please sit down” is often about whether you add a polite word, in Russian the imperative system itself allows speakers to express not just commands but invitations, encouragement, requests, or even sharp orders. The same verb stem can take on flavors that are polite, neutral, or forceful, depending on how it is formed and what words accompany it. For learners, mastering the imperative is one of the quickest ways to sound natural and to navigate the delicate balance between friendliness and authority in Russian.
The imperative is everywhere in everyday life: a parent telling a child иди сюда! (“come here!”), a shopkeeper inviting you to проходите, пожалуйста (“please come in”), or a friend urging you to давай выпьем чаю (“let’s have some tea”). It’s not just about commanding; it’s about social interaction. Russians use imperatives to soften invitations, to joke, to encourage, and to express camaraderie. At the same time, the wrong form can sound too harsh or even rude, which is why understanding the difference between polite and strong commands is crucial for anyone who wants to speak Russian comfortably.
In this article, we’ll break down the imperative in Russian—how to form it, when to use it, and most importantly, how to adjust its tone. You’ll learn the difference between a neutral request and a strong command, how to add politeness markers, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Along the way, we’ll explore cultural expectations of directness and politeness in Russian speech, so that your commands and invitations don’t just follow the rules of grammar but also feel natural in context.
The Basics: What Is the Imperative?
The imperative is the verb form used to tell someone to do something. It can be:
A command (Закрой дверь! – Close the door!)
A request (Закройте, пожалуйста, дверь. – Please close the door.)
An invitation (Пойдём гулять. – Let’s go for a walk.)
An encouragement (Сделай это, у тебя получится! – Do it, you’ll succeed!)
In Russian, the imperative is formed differently depending on the verb, but the most important thing to note is that there are singular (informal, ты) and plural/polite (вы) forms.
How to Form the Imperative
Singular Informal (ты)
Take the verb stem and usually add -й, -и, or zero ending depending on the conjugation:
читать (to read) → читай! (read!)
писать (to write) → пиши! (write!)
сказать (to say) → скажи! (say!)
Plural/Polite (вы)
Add -те to the singular form:
читайте! (read! – plural/polite)
пишите! (write! – plural/polite)
скажите! (say! – plural/polite)
Polite vs. Strong Imperatives
Strong Imperatives
These are short, direct, and often without softeners:
Иди сюда! – Come here!
Слушай внимательно! – Listen carefully!
Молчи! – Be quiet!
They are common with children, in urgent situations, or when authority is emphasized. They can sound rude if used in the wrong context.
Polite Imperatives
These use the plural/polite вы form and often include softeners like пожалуйста or будьте добры:
Закройте, пожалуйста, окно. – Please close the window.
Подождите минутку. – Wait a minute.
Будьте добры, передайте соль. – Would you be so kind as to pass the salt?
Polite forms are common in shops, workplaces, and with strangers.
Cultural Nuances
In Russian, blunt imperatives are not necessarily rude—tone and context matter. Among close friends, a sharp иди! may simply sound playful. In a workplace, however, using ты imperatives with a superior would be inappropriate. Russians expect imperatives to match the relationship: informal with family and friends, formal with strangers or in professional contexts.
The Role of Particles
Particles like давай, пусть, and ну add subtlety to imperatives:
Давай посмотрим фильм. – Let’s watch a movie.
Пусть он расскажет свою историю. – Let him tell his story.
Ну, иди сюда. – Come on, come here.
These soften the tone or shift the meaning from command to suggestion.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
Using ты when вы is needed.
Садись! to a stranger sounds rude; use Садитесь! instead.
Forgetting softeners.
Дайте меню! (Give me the menu!) sounds demanding; add пожалуйста to make it polite.
Mixing up forms.
Скажи! vs. Скажите! are different in tone; learners often confuse them.
Overtranslating from English.
“Let’s” is not always давайте—sometimes the simple пойдём is enough.
Everyday Examples
With friends: Пошли в кино! – Let’s go to the movies!
With a colleague: Подождите, пожалуйста. – Please wait.
With children: Сделай уроки! – Do your homework!
At a restaurant: Принесите, пожалуйста, счёт. – Please bring the bill.
Mini-Dialogues
At a cafe:
Customer: Принесите, пожалуйста, чай. – Please bring tea.
Waiter: Сейчас принесу. – I’ll bring it right away.
With a child:
Parent: Иди домой, уже поздно. – Come home, it’s late.
Child: Ещё пять минут! – Five more minutes!
Among friends:
Friend 1: Давай встретимся завтра. – Let’s meet tomorrow.
Friend 2: Хорошо, пиши мне. – Okay, text me.
How to Sound More Natural
Listen to tone. Russians rely on intonation to signal friendliness or firmness.
Use пожалуйста. It softens almost any command.
Observe relationships. Formality matters more in Russian than in English.
Practice with set phrases. Phrases like Подождите минутку or Давайте посмотрим come up constantly.
Practice Exercise
Translate into Russian:
Please close the door.
Come here!
Let’s go for a walk.
Be quiet, please.
Tell me the truth.
Answers:
Закройте, пожалуйста, дверь.
Иди сюда!
Пойдём гулять.
Молчите, пожалуйста.
Скажи мне правду.
FAQs About the Russian Imperative
Q: Is the imperative always rude?
A: No. It depends on the form (ты vs. вы), the use of softeners, and the context.
Q: How do I know whether to use ты or вы?
A: Use ты with friends, children, and family. Use вы with strangers, older people, or in formal situations.
Q: What’s the difference between давай and давайте?
A: Both mean “let’s.” Давай is informal, давайте is polite or plural.
Q: Can imperatives be used with future actions?
A: Yes. Позвони завтра! – Call tomorrow!
Q: How do Russians soften commands?
A: By using пожалуйста, particles (ну, давай), and the вы form.
Q: Are there negative imperatives?
A: Yes. Use не + imperative: Не говори! – Don’t speak!
Q: Do Russians use imperatives a lot?
A: Yes, especially in daily life. They are central to casual and formal interactions.
Q: Can imperatives sound affectionate?
A: Absolutely. Спи спокойно (Sleep well) or Будь здоров! (Be healthy!) are caring imperatives.
Final Thoughts
The Russian imperative is a powerful tool that goes far beyond simple commands. It lets you express politeness, urgency, warmth, or authority, depending on how you use it. For learners, mastering the distinction between polite and strong imperatives is essential to avoid sounding rude or awkward. With practice, you’ll learn to give commands, make requests, and extend invitations in ways that feel both grammatically correct and culturally natural.
At Polyglottist Language Academy, we emphasize the practical side of grammar—teaching you not only how to form imperatives but how to use them authentically in conversation. Our Russian classes combine cultural insights with real-life practice, so you can give commands, make polite requests, and join conversations with confidence. Sign up today and take the next step in mastering Russian communication.