Learn German: Schließt das Fenster!

Schließt das Fenster!

Close the window!

Breakdown of Schließt das Fenster!

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Questions & Answers about Schließt das Fenster!

Why does the verb end in -t here (Schließt)?

This is an informal command given to a group of people (like friends or children). To make this plural command, you start with the normal ihr (you all) form of the verb, which is ihr schließt, and simply drop the word ihr.

How would I say this formally instead?

If you were speaking to strangers, colleagues, or anyone else you use Sie with, you would use the formal command. For that, you use the infinitive (the dictionary form) and keep the pronoun: Schließen Sie das Fenster!

Is das Fenster in the accusative case here?

Yes! The window is the direct object (the thing being closed), so it takes the accusative case. Because Fenster is a neuter noun, its word for "the" is das in both the nominative (subject) and accusative (object) cases, so it doesn't look like it changed.

How would we know if they meant "Close the windows!" (plural)?

The German word for window (das Fenster) doesn't change its spelling when it becomes plural. However, the article "the" changes to the plural die. So, "Close the windows!" would be Schließt die Fenster! Since our sentence uses das, we know it's only one window.