命令形
Plain imperative 命令形
Meaning
The blunt command form — "Do it!". Strong, and rarely appropriate in conversation.
Formation
Group 1: final う-row kana → え-row (行く → 行け) · Group 2: drop る, add ろ (食べる → 食べろ) · する → しろ · 来る → 来い
Notes
Real use is narrow: signs and slogans (止まれ, 頑張れ), shouted warnings (逃げろ), and men speaking roughly. To a person you respect it is rude — use 〜てください or 〜なさい. The negative counterpart is the prohibitive 〜な.
Examples
頑張（がんば）れ！
Go for it! / Hang in there! (the common cheering form)
Breakdown
危（あぶ）ない、逃（に）げろ！
Look out, run!
Breakdown
ここで止（と）まれ。
Stop here. (as written on a road sign)
Breakdown
早（はや）くしろ。
Hurry up. (する → しろ)
Breakdown
こっちへ来（こ）い。
Come here. (来る → 来い)
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜なさい
Do it 〜なさい
A firm but polite command — used by a parent to a child, a teacher to a student, or in exa...
[verb, plain] + な
Plain prohibitive 〜な
The blunt negative command — "Don't ~!".