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Reference

Telling somebody to do it

Telling someone to do something, with one form for one person and another for more.

All grammar
Called
käskiv kõneviis
the imperative in an English grammar book

What it is for

  • One form for one person, another for a group, unlike English

    • Istu minu kõrvale.

      Sit next to me.

    • Peske käed puhtaks.

      Wash your hands thoroughly.

  • The group form is also the polite one for a single stranger

Practice these in the app, on words you are learning, with every answer marked. Sign in, it’s free

  • Palun öelge, kus siin tualett on.

    Please tell me where the restroom is.

  • Saatke mulle takso.

    Please send me a taxi.

  • "Don't" has a little word of its own

    • Ära otse päikesesse vaata!

      Don't look directly at the sun!

    • Ära muretse, kõik läheb hästi.

      Don't worry, everything will be fine.

    • Watch out

    Using the singular with somebody you've just met sounds like an order. With a stranger, the plural is the safe choice.

    On real verbs

    from the dictionary
    Verbolevik, makäskiv kõneviis, saFrom
    aitamato helpaitanaita!derived
    algamato begin (of itself)alganalga!derived
    alustamato begin (something)alustanalusta!derived
    andmato giveannananna!derived

    Try it

    1 of 3, just practice

    aitama means to help. Which one tells somebody to do it?

    Where the course teaches it

    3 units
    • Asking for help, and calling for itA1Ask someone for help, say what's happened, and call the right number.
    • Asking, telling and offeringA2Tell someone what to do, ask for something politely, and offer to help.
    • Housework and routineA2Talk about your routine at home and share out the chores with someone.

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