Imperativ Gehen

Mastering the Imperativ Gehen: A Comprehensive Guide to German's Command Verb

German, renowned for its complex grammar, often presents challenges even to seasoned learners. One such hurdle lies in mastering the imperative mood, particularly with verbs like "gehen" (to go). While seemingly straightforward, the imperative of "gehen" reveals subtle nuances in usage depending on formality, politeness, and the number of people being addressed. This comprehensive guide dissects the intricacies of "geh!", "geht!", and their variations, providing you with the confidence to use them correctly in various contexts.

Understanding the Imperative Mood

The imperative mood expresses commands, requests, or instructions. Unlike indicative or subjunctive moods that describe actions or states, the imperative directly instructs the listener to perform an action. In German, the imperative form is typically created by removing the infinitive ending "-en" from the verb. However, "gehen," being an irregular verb, deviates from this rule.

The Singular Imperative: "Geh!"

The singular imperative of "gehen" is simply "geh!". This form is used to address a single person informally, usually someone you know well, like a friend, family member, or a child. The tone can vary greatly depending on context and intonation.

Example 1 (Friendly): "Geh nach Hause!" (Go home!) – Said to a child in a gentle tone.
Example 2 (Sharp): "Geh! Jetzt!" (Go! Now!) – Said to someone impatiently.
Example 3 (Request): "Geh bitte ins Kino mit mir." (Please go to the cinema with me.) – A polite request to a friend.

Notice how the addition of "bitte" (please) significantly softens the command, transforming it into a polite request. This highlights the importance of intonation and accompanying words in shaping the meaning.

The Plural Imperative: "Geht!"

The plural imperative, "geht!", addresses multiple people informally. Similar to the singular form, the level of formality depends heavily on the context and relationship with the addressed individuals.

Example 1 (Friendly): "Geht ins Restaurant!" (Go to the restaurant!) – Said to friends.
Example 2 (Instructional): "Geht jetzt alle nach Hause!" (All of you go home now!) – A slightly stricter command.
Example 3 (Polite Request): "Geht bitte vorsichtig!" (Please be careful!) - A softer command showing concern.

Again, the addition of "bitte" softens the tone and makes the command more polite. The use of "alle" (all) emphasizes that the command applies to everyone in the group.

Formal Imperative: Sie-Form

German distinguishes between formal and informal address using "du" (informal you, singular) and "Sie" (formal you, singular and plural). The formal imperative for "gehen" is derived from the polite form of the verb, "gehen Sie." This is always used when addressing someone formally – superiors, strangers, or individuals you wish to show respect.

Example 1 (Formal Instruction): "Gehen Sie bitte zum Empfang." (Please go to the reception.) – Addressing a guest at a formal event.
Example 2 (Formal Request): "Gehen Sie bitte in das Büro." (Please go to the office.) – Addressing a superior at work.

The "Sie" form maintains a respectful distance, crucial in formal interactions.

Imperative with Separable Prefixes

When "gehen" is used with separable prefixes, such as "weggehen" (to go away), the prefix is separated and placed at the end of the sentence in the imperative form.

Example 1 (Singular): "Geh weg!" (Go away!)
Example 2 (Plural): "Geht weg!" (Go away!)
Example 3 (Formal): "Gehen Sie weg!" (Go away! - Formal)

Imperative in Compound Sentences

The imperative can also be used in compound sentences, where the command is followed by a subordinate clause explaining the reason or providing further instructions.

Example: "Geh nach Hause, wenn du müde bist." (Go home if you're tired.)

Conclusion

Mastering the imperative of "gehen" involves understanding the distinctions between formal and informal address, singular and plural forms, and the impact of adding polite words like "bitte." By considering the context and your relationship with the person you're addressing, you can confidently use "geh!", "geht!", and "gehen Sie!" appropriately, significantly improving your fluency and communicative skills in German.

FAQs

1. Is there a negative imperative for "gehen"? Yes, the negative imperative is formed by adding "nicht" before the verb: "Geh nicht!" (Don't go!), "Geht nicht!" (Don't go!), "Gehen Sie nicht!" (Don't go! – Formal).

2. How does the imperative of "gehen" differ from other irregular verbs? While many irregular verbs follow a predictable pattern in the imperative, "gehen" exhibits its irregularity even in this mood. It doesn't simply drop the "-en" but changes completely.

3. Can I use "Geh!" with strangers? No, "Geh!" is strictly informal. Using it with strangers would be considered rude. Use "Gehen Sie!" instead.

4. What's the difference between "Geht!" and "Gehen Sie!"? "Geht!" is the informal plural imperative, used with friends and family, while "Gehen Sie!" is the formal plural imperative, appropriate for addressing superiors or strangers.

5. How important is intonation when using the imperative "gehen"? Intonation plays a vital role. The same phrase can be a friendly request, a sharp command, or a polite suggestion, solely based on how it's spoken. Pay close attention to your tone.

Search Results:

How to Learn the German Imperative – Geh! Geht! Gehen Sie! / Der Imperativ 18 Nov 2024 · The command can be expressed not only in imperative forms, but also: 1. In the present infinitive: Einsteigen und Türe schließen!, Zimmer aufräumen!, Zähne putzen! 2. by 2nd participle: Rauchen verboten!, Abgemacht! 3. by a declarative sentence in the present or future tense:Ihr geht jetzt! , Du wirst jetzt aber schlafen!

Konjugation des Verbs „gehen“ auf Deutsch in allen Zeitformen und … Der deutsche Imperativ wird verwendet, um Befehle zu geben, etwas von jemandem zu verlangen oder einfach jemanden zu bitten, etwas zu tun. Diese grammatikalische Stimmung wird im Deutschen häufig verwendet.

Imperativ • die Befehlsform bilden · [mit Video] - Studyflix Du kannst die Befehlsform für folgende Situationen verwenden: Anleitungen/Anweisungen → Gib die Butter in die Pfanne. Befehle → Mach deine Hausaufgaben! Bitten → Geht bitte nachher …

Conjugation German "gehen" - All forms of verb, examples, rules Conjugation German verb gehen (go, walk): in present, past, subjunctive, perfect, ... many examples, translations, grammar, rules, speech output, definitions, exercises and downloads.

Imperative Commands in German Grammar - Lingolia What is the German imperative? The imperative (der Imperativ) is a mood in German grammar that expresses orders and commands. The German imperative only exists in the second person singular (du), plural (ihr) and polite form (Sie) as well as in the first person plural (wir).

Inflection/Conjugation/Konjugation of German verb gehen, Ich gehe Ich muss gehen. = I must go. Wohin soll ich gehen? = Where do I have to go to? Ich lerne schnell gehen. = I learn to walk fast. Sie mag barfuß gehen. = She likes walking with bare feet. Wollen Sie durch den Wald gehen? = Would you like to go through the forest/woods?

The irregular verb "gehen" in German - GermanVeryEasy.com Pronunciation: [ˈɡeːən] Structure for the intransitive case: gehen + nach + [dative] (to walk to a country, city without an article or home) Ich gehe nach Köln I’m going to Cologne (walking) Ich gehe nach Hause I’m going home (walking) gehen + in + [accusative] (to walk to a country or city with an article) Ich gehe in die Turkei

Imperativ Gehen - globaldatabase.ecpat.org The formal imperative for "gehen" is derived from the polite form of the verb, "gehen Sie." This is always used when addressing someone formally – superiors, strangers, or individuals you wish to show respect.

Imperativ "gehen" - Alle Formen des Verbs, Regeln, Beispiele Imperativ Verb gehen: Regeln erklärt, Grammatik, viele Beispiele, Übersetzung, Übungen, Bedeutung, kostenlose Downloads.

Konjugation des Verbs gehen alle Zeitformen | Duden Alle Zeitformen und Modi für das Verb „gehen“ auf einen Blick ️ Übersichtliche Aufbereitung der Konjugation von „gehen“ in Tabellenform ️ Flexionstabellen von Duden.

German Imperative: Rules, Examples & Practice with a Quiz 10 Dec 2024 · How do I form the “du” imperative? For “du,” just use the verb stem and drop the pronoun. Example: geh! (go!). How do I form the “ihr” imperative? You add a “t” to the word stem.” …

Imperative German "gehen" - All forms of verb, rules, examples The conjugation of gehen (go, walk) in the imperative is: gehe (du), gehen wir, geht (ihr), gehen Sie. The imperative is formed with the stem of present tense geh.

Imperativ (Deutsch) — Erklärung und Beispiele zur Befehlsform Der Imperativ (auch Befehlsform genannt) ist die Satzform, mit der du eine Empfehlung, eine Bitte oder einen Befehl ausdrückst. Er ist neben dem Indikativ (Wirklichkeitsform) und Konjunktiv (Möglichkeitsform) einer der drei Modi eines Verbes, das bedeutet, er gibt die Aussageweise eines Satz an (Wirklichkeit, Möglichkeit, Befehl).

German grammar in use: The conjugation of the verb “gehen” 25 Aug 2014 · In the Präsens tense gehen can mean to go, to walk, to leave, to attend, to work (function), and to be feasible. Of course, you can use gehen in further compositions, such as “über die Straße gehen” (to cross the street).

Der Imperativ (German Imperative) | Examples & Guide What is the Imperative? (Imperativ) We use the Imperative for demands and commands. Someone is personally talking to one or more people. The Imperative only exists in the "you" forms: „du“, „ihr“ …

Imperativ – Deutsch mit Martin Der Imperativ wird verwendet, um direkt jemanden aufzufordern, etwas zu tun. Er kann auch verwendet werden, um negative Anweisungen zu geben, um zu sagen, was nicht getan werden soll.

Konjugation des Verbs gehen - wort.app Konjugation des Verbs gehen ÜbersichtIndikativ

Konjugation von GEHEN - Deutsch Verb | PONS Konjugiere das Verb GEHEN in allen Zeitformen: Present, Past, Participle, Present Perfect, Gerund, etc.

GEHEN Konjugationstabelle | Collins Deutsch Verben Imperfekt ich ginge du gingest er/sie/es ginge wir gingen ihr ginget sie/Sie gingen

Conjugation and declension of "gehen" in German - PROMT.One … gehen - conjugation and declension of the word in German in all tenses, all forms of the word for verbs, nouns and adjectives with usage examples