Learn Japanese Online - Free Studies

The order (imperative) form in Japanese can be made in several politeness levels. Just note that the casual forms can be seen as very rough and inpolite.

Polite level

The polite level order form is made as an request using the -te form of a verb, and adding kudasai.

聞いてください
kiite kudasai
Please listen
吸わないでください。
suwanaide kudasai
Please do not smoke.

Casual Level

The casual request / order form is just the plain -te form of a word.

聞いて。
kiite
Listen.
吸わないで。
suwanaide
Don't smoke.

Teinei - Formal Polite Level

When talking teinei, the formal polite language, many words are exchanged to completely different words. Here are some examples of how you can do for words that does not have a special word in teineigo.

おかけください。
o kake kudasai
Kindly have a seat.

御かけにならないでください。
o kake ni naranaide kudasai
Kindly refrain from sitting down.

Rough Orders

Rough orders are done differently depending on the verb group.This form is rarely used except from when fighting, so please be very careful when using it.

Group 3 (suru, kuru) : only two examples
yare / yaruna, koi/kuruna
Group 2 (-eru => -ero , -iru => -iro) : Change the end to -ero or -iro respectively for positive orders. For negative orders, just add na after the plain positive form.
Group 1 (other verbs) : Change the last -u in the plain positive form to -e to make the positive order. For negative orders, just add na after the plain positive form.

Examples