gebiedende

gebiedende, or the gebiedende wijs, is the imperative mood in Dutch. It is used to issue commands, requests, or instructions. In most cases the subject is omitted, with the understood subject being you (singular or plural) or, in formal contexts, you as a polite form.

Formation and examples

For many verbs, the 2nd person singular informal imperative is formed from the stem of the infinitive. Examples include ga! (go), kom! (come), lees! (read), doe! (do). Some verbs have irregular imperatives, such as wees! (be), heb! (have), laat! (let/allow), en doe! (do). The imperative is typically placed at the beginning of the sentence: Ga naar buiten. Lees dit boek. Wees voorzichtig.

Negative imperatives are made by adding niet after the verb: Ga niet weg. Doe het niet. There are also polite and plural forms in use; in many everyday situations the same stem forms appear, but they can be adjusted with politeness markers (such as alstublieft) or by using periphrastic constructions for U (you) or for jullie (you all).

Usage and style

The gebiedende wijs is common in instructions, warnings, signage, recipes, and directions. It can convey urgency or authority but also courtesy when softened by words like alstublieft. In formal writing and signs, the imperative is kept concise and direct.

See also

Grammar of Dutch, mood, imperative.