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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. Verb [imperative form] (e-ending / ろ / よ)

    Verb [imperative form] (e-ending / ろ / よ)

    Verb [imperative form] (e-ending / ろ / よ)

    This is how you tell someone to do something. It is a very strong command. You should be careful when you use it.

    N4KMT5RoughStandardVerb ConstructionMixedMasculineVerb Form BasicsGrammar

    Verb [imperative form]Primary

    This is how you tell someone to do something. It is a very strong command. You should be careful when you use it.

    早はやく行いけ!敵てきが来きている!

    Go quickly! The enemy is coming!

    RoughNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingObligationMilitary
    逃にげろ!津つ波なみが来くるぞ!

    Run! A tsunami is coming!

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingNecessityWeather & GeographyNature & Environment
    宿しゅく題だいをさっさとしろ、そうしないとゲームはなしだぞ。

    Do your homework quickly, or there will be no video games for you.

    RoughNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceObligationFamily & RelationshipsEducationGames
    危あぶないから、その川かわで泳およぐな。

    It's dangerous, so don't swim in that river.

    RoughNon PastNegativeSentence EndingProhibitionNature & Environment
    問もん題だい用よう紙しの指し示じに従したがい、直ただちに解かい答とうを始はじめよ。

    Follow the instructions on the question paper and begin answering at once.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingObligationEducation

    This command is very strong. It is like a shout. You use it with people below you. Or when you are angry. It is not polite. It is often used in movies. Or in sports. You can also see it in old books.

    This command is very strong. It is not like "~てください" which is a polite request. It is also stronger than "~なさい" which a parent might use. It is not like "~よう" which means "let's do something".

    Don't use this when you talk to someone older. For example, don't say "食べろ" (tabero) to your teacher. This form is very strong. You use it with people below you. Or in an emergency. Or with close male friends.

    Use this when you want to tell someone strongly not to do something. It is a very firm 'Don't!'.

    Contrasts with(1)

    意向形 (よう / う)

    This form means 'let's do' something. You use it to suggest an action or invite someone to do it with you.

    命令形(めいれいけい・〜ろ / 〜よ)

    This is a command form. It tells someone what to do directly. It is very informal and strong.

    〜なさい

    You use this to tell someone to do something. It is a command. Parents might use it with children.

    〜てください

    This is a polite way to ask someone to do something. It is like saying 'please do' in English.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    contrasts_with

    • 意向形 (よう / う)

    prerequisite

    • 命令形(めいれいけい・〜ろ / 〜よ)
    • 〜なさい
    • 〜てください
    • 〜てみろ
    • 〜やがれ
    • 〜け
    • 〜なり〜なり
    • 〜なされ
    • 〜にせよ
    • 〜さい

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