Giving Commands to a Male
When giving direct instructions, Arabic speakers frequently use the word يا (O) to get the listener's attention before stating a command. To tell a single male to do something, use the masculine singular imperative form of the verb.
| O boy, wash the vegetables and cut them with the knife. | يا ولد، اغسل الخضار واقطعها بالسكين.yâ waladu, ughsili al-khudâra waqta'ha bis-sikkîni. |
| O student, put the bowl on the table. | يا طالب، ضع الوعاء على الطاولة.yâ tâlibu, da'i al-wi'â'a 'alâ at-tâwilati. |
| My friend, add the salt and the water. | يا صديقي، أضف الملح والماء.yâ sadîqî, adifi al-milha wa al-mâ'. |
Giving Commands to a Female
To give a command to a single female, attach the suffix ـي to the masculine imperative form. Notice how commands like اغسل (wash) become اغسلي. (For some verbs, a dropped long vowel returns before the suffix, such as أضف becoming أضيفي).
| O girl, wash the bowl now. | يا بنت، اغسلي الوعاء الآن.yâ bintu, ighsilî al-wi'â'a al-âna. |
| My mother, put the oil in the bowl. | يا أمي، ضعي الزيت في الوعاء.yâ ommî, da'î azzayta fî al-wi'â'i |
| My sister, add the oil now. | يا أختي، أضيفي الزيت الآن.yâ ukhtî, aḍîfî az-zayta al-âna. |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Imperatives are perfect for sharing recipes, giving directions, or asking for help in an emergency. Just remember to choose the correct ending depending on who you are addressing.
| O man, mix the vegetables and the oil. | يا رجل، اخلط الخضار والزيت.yâ rajulu, ikhliti-l-khudâra wa-zzayta. |
| O girl, cook the vegetables for a minute. | يا بنت، اطبخي الخضار دقيقة.yâ bintu, utbukhî al-khudâra daqîqatan. |
| My brother, call the police now. | يا أخي، اتصل بالشرطة الآن.yâ akhî, ittasil bish-shurtati al-âna. |
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