Learn Italian: Abbi pazienza e sii coraggioso nel pericolo! - Have patience and be brave in danger!

Abbi is the informal imperative (command) form of avere (to have) when speaking to a single person (tu). Avere is highly irregular in the imperative. You can't just use the regular present tense hai; you have to memorize the special command form abbi.

What verb is sii, and why does it have a double 'i'?

Sii is the irregular tu command form of essere (to be). Just like abbi, it doesn't follow the normal rules and must be memorized. The double 'i' is the correct spelling; you pronounce both vowels, placing the stress on the first one.

Why do we say abbi pazienza (have patience) when in English we usually say "be patient"?

In Italian, many feelings and states of being use avere (to have) followed by a noun, rather than "to be" followed by an adjective. Just like you "have hunger" (avere fame) instead of being hungry, you "have patience" (avere pazienza) instead of being patient.

Would coraggioso change if I were giving this command to a woman?