Imperative Mood in Slovene

Regular Slovene verbs are usually quite simple and straightforward to apply and used. An interesting aspect of verbs is the imperative grammatical mood – velelnik. To give a command or an order, such as “come here” or “let’s go”. (Which is quite handy and essential to know when you have young children!)

As we know, infinitive verbs in Slovene are divided into different categories of endings and it affects the endings of its imperative form. The best way to remember it is to compare it with the “jaz” form in present tense.

For most infinitive form ends with -TI

*POVABITI* (to invite)	jaz povabim	povabi / povabite
*PRODATI* (to sell)	jaz prodam	prodaj / prodajte
*KAZATI* (to show)	jaz kažem	kaži / kažite
*POTOVATI* (to travel)	jaz potu*jem*	potuj / potujte

As you can see

–IM → –I
–AM → –AJ
–EM → –I
–(U)JEM → J

The imperative mood is usually used with the second person. For the plural form, it can’t be any simpler, you just add “-te” at the end.

For infinitive verbs that ends with -ČI

TEČI (to run)	jaz te*čem*	teci / tecite
*REČI* (to say)	jaz re*čem*	reci / recite
*PEČI* (to bake)	jaz pe*čem*	peci / pecite

As you can see, the Č becomes C.

ČI → CI

For infinitive form ends with -TI, but that are irregular

*BITI* (to be)	jaz sem	bodi / bodite
*ITI* (to go)	jaz grem	pojdi / pojdite
*JESTI* (to eat)	jaz jem	jej / jejte
*VEDETI* (to know)	jaz vem	vedi / vedite
*IMETI* (to have)	jaz imam	imej / imejte
*PRITI* (to come)	jaz pridem	pridi / pridite
*PITI* (to drink)	jaz pijem	pij / pijte
*OSTATI* (to remain)	jaz ostanem	ostani / ostanite
*GLEDATI* (to watch, to look)	jaz gledam	glej / glejte
*STATI* (to stand)	jaz stojim	stoj / stojte
*POVEDATI* (to tell)	jaz povem	povej / povejte
*IMETI* (to have)	jaz imam	imej / imejte
*VZETI* (to take)	jaz vzamem	vzemi / vzemite
*NAJETI* (to hire)	jaz najamem	najemi / najemite
*POKLICATI* (to call)	jaz pokličem	pokliči / pokličite
*POJETI* (to sing)	jaz pojem	poj / pojte

The endings for irregular verbs do not follow a specific “pattern”, therefore you need to learn them by heart…

These are just short lists of verbs in the imperative mood. Regular verbs are not too difficult, but irregular ones can be quite tricky. Practice makes perfect – the more you will use them, the easier it will be!

One reference that I can totally recommend for verbs is Slovenski Glagol by Rada Lečič. If you have any questions or comments, do let me know! Two kids keep me busy, but I will always try my best to get back at you, as fast as possible! 🙂

Discover more Slovene “lessons” that might interest you: Slovene Numbers & Numerals, Slovene Nouns & Pronouns, Slovene Verbs, Slovene Adjectives, Slovene Syntax, Slovenian Idioms, Slovene Adverbs.

Let’s learn,
Anna.