To give a direct command to one person, use the imperative mood. In Icelandic, forming the singular imperative is straightforward: take the infinitive form of the verb and drop the ending (usually the final -a or -ja).
- hlaupa (to run) becomes hlaup
- brosa (to smile) becomes bros
- setja (to put) becomes set
Directions and Movement
To tell someone where to go, pair these command forms with direction words like hingað (here) and þangað (there).
| Run here! | Hlaup hingað! |
| Go there! | Far þangað! |
Adding Adverbs
You can make your instructions more specific by adding adverbs such as hægt (slowly) and varlega (carefully).
| Drive slowly and carefully! | Keyr hægt og varlega! |
Commands with Objects
Use the imperative to tell someone to interact with an object.
| Put the glass carefully on the table! | Set glasið varlega á borðið! |
| Give me the bread! | Gef mér brauðið! |
| Show me the car! | Sýn mér bílinn! |
Multiple Commands and "Stop"
You can string multiple instructions together using og (and). Both verbs take the imperative form.
| Come here and give me the water! | Kom hingað og gef mér vatnið! |
To tell someone to stop doing something, use the command form of hætta (to stop): hætt. Follow it with að and the infinitive of the action.
| Stop running! | Hætt að hlaupa! |
| Stop playing! | Hætt að spila! |
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