negative imperative

The Negative Imperative in Italian

In Italian, forming a negative command (telling someone not to do something) has a distinctive structure that depends on the person you are addressing. There is one very important special rule for the informal "you" (tu).

1. The Informal Singular (tu)

To give a negative command to a friend, family member, or child (tu), you do not use a conjugated verb. Instead, simply place non before the infinitive form of the verb.

• Non parlare! (Don't speak!)
• Non essere scortese. (Don't be rude.)
• Non avere fretta. (Don't be in a hurry.)
• Non piangere. (Don't cry.)

2. All Other Persons

For all other subjects, form the negative imperative by simply placing non before the normal conjugated imperative form.

• Lei (Formal singular): Non parli. (Don't speak.)
• Noi (Let's): Non parliamo. (Let's not speak.)
• Voi (Plural you): Non parlate. (Don't speak.)
• Loro (Formal plural): Non parlino. (Don't speak.)
• Non dite bugie. (Don't tell lies. - voi form)

Notice that for formal or polite usage (Lei and loro), the negative imperative coincides exactly with the present subjunctive preceded by non. This helps maintain a respectful tone (for example, Non entri - Do not enter; Non esca adesso - Do not go out now).

3. Pronoun Placement

When object or reflexive pronouns are used with negative commands, their position follows clear rules:

• With "tu": You have two options. You can place the pronoun before the infinitive, or attach it to the end of the infinitive (dropping the final "e").
  • Non lo fare! or Non farlo! (Don't do it!)
  • Non mi dire queste cose. or Non dirmi queste cose. (Don't tell me these things.)
• With "noi" and "voi": You may also place the pronoun before the verb or attach it to the end. Both are correct and are often chosen for stylistic or rhythmic reasons.
  • Non lo dimentichiamo. or Non dimentichiamolo. (Let's not forget it.)
  • Non vi alzate. or Non alzatevi. (Don't get up.)
• With formal forms (Lei/loro): Pronouns must be placed before the conjugated verb.
  • Non lo dica. (Don't say it.)
  • Non lo facciano, per cortesia. (Please do not do it.)