Käskvormi

Käskvorm, or imperatiiv, is a grammatical mood in Estonian used to express commands, requests, instructions, or prohibitions directed at the addressee. It is a direct form of address and typically omits the subject, which is understood from context.

In everyday use, the käskvorm has two basic numbers: second person singular and second person plural (often used to address multiple people or to show politeness). The verb stem provides the imperative form, and many verbs form their käskvorm with characteristic endings that may vary according to verb class and vowel harmony. Examples commonly heard in speech are Tule! (Come!) for singular and Tulge! (Come [plural/polite]!) for plural or polite address. Negative imperatives are created with the particle ära before the verb, as in Ära tule! (Don’t come) or Ära tee seda! (Don’t do that).

Politeness and softness can be conveyed without changing the form by using particles or modifiers, most typically palun (please) or other hedges: Palun tule. The käskvorm can appear in informal conversation, public signage, instructions, and direct discourse, where a succinct, unambiguous directive is desired. In formal written language, imperatives may be supplemented by courteous phrasing or rephrased into indirect clauses to mitigate tone.

Irregularities exist for certain verbs, where the imperative forms deviate from the expected pattern. Some verbs also offer alternative or archaic imperative forms that appear in literary or regional usage.

Overall, the käskvorm is a central tool for issuing clear, direct actions in Estonian, balancing brevity with context-appropriate politeness.