What’s up, guys! How’s it going? Are you ready to learn Portuguese?
In our Dica today, we are going to learn about the Portuguese Imperative.
The imperative form is used to express ideas such as: orders, suggestions, warnings, prohibitions, and even requests for favors.
New Video on Imperative in Portuguese
Want to see how the imperative mood is used in real life? We’ve prepared a video with clear explanations, real examples, and fun tips to help you learn how to give commands, advice, and requests in Portuguese like a native!
Keep practicing with our tips and try writing a sentence in the imperative in the comments. It’s a great way to reinforce what you’ve learned!
Portuguese Imperative Conjugation of Regular Verbs

As you can see, there isn’t a first person conjugation for the imperative. Here are some examples using the imperative in Portuguese:
Examples
José, me ligue à noite.
José, call me at night.
Você está doente? Tome um remédio.
Are you sick? Take some medicine.
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Pense um pouco antes de fazer alguma coisa.
Think a little bit before doing something.
Venda esse carro. Ele não está muito bom.
Sell this car. It’s not very good.
Feche a janela, por favor. Está frio.
Close the window, please. It’s cold.
Abra a porta da sala para o João entrar.
Open the door so that João can enter.
Não saia muito tarde de casa.
Don’t leave the house too late.
Portuguese Imperative of Irregular Verbs
Some verbs have an irregular conjugation in the imperative. You can learn much more about these verbs on our Dicas about Irregular Imperative Verbs and Special cases of Imperative. Take a look at these examples:
Examples
Vá à praia de Copacabana! Você vai adorar.
Go to Copacabana beach! You’ll love it.
Tenha um bom dia!
Have a nice day!
Leia este livro do Jorge Amado! É ótimo.
Read this book by Jorge Amado! It’s great!
Seja humilde na vitória e elegante na derrota!
Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat!
Informal Imperative in Portuguese
So far, we’ve looked at the formal imperative conjugation of Portuguese verbs. However, in general, Brazilians use the informal imperative to express their ideas. In this case, we just need to use the third person singular of the simple present. Take a look:
Examples
Formal Imperative- Faça o exercício! Do the exercise!
- Vá para casa! Go home!
- Compre este livro para mim! Buy this book for me!
- Cante esta música novamente! Sing this song once again!
- Abra as janelas, por favor! Open the windows, please!
- Faz o exercício! Do the exercise!
- Vai para casa! Go home!
- Compra este livro para mim! Buy this book for me!
- Canta esta música novamente! Sing this song once again!
- Abre as janelas, por favor! Open the windows, please!
Now it’s your turn!
Maria prepared a list of things for her husband to do. Use the verbs below to help her husband figure out what she wants him to do:
| Lavar | Trazer | Comprar | Buscar | Tirar | ver | Encontrar | Ligar |
Querido João!
Preciso que me ajude com algumas coisas que não tive tempo de fazer:
- ______________ duas caixas de leite no supermercado.
- ______________ as roupas das crianças.
- ______________ o frango do congelador e deixe em cima da pia.
- ______________ se temos alguma correspondência.
- ______________ para minha irmã e avise que vou visitá-la mais tarde.
- ______________ as crianças na escola.
- Me ______________ na casa da minha irmã às 19h.
- ______________ uma pizza para nós.
Com amor, Maria ❤
That’s it, guys!
Now you know how to use the Portuguese Imperative.
See you later!
Kisses from Rio de Janeiro!
Click on the links below to see more related Dicas:
Irregular Imperative Verbs in Portuguese
Special cases of Imperative in Portuguese
Verbs ending in -AR
Answers
- Compre duas caixas de leite no supermercado.
- Lave as roupas das crianças.
- Tire o frango do congelador e deixe em cima da pia.
- Veja se temos alguma correspondência.
- Ligue para minha irmã e avise que vou visitá-la mais tarde.
- Busque as crianças na escola.
- Me encontre na casa da minha irmã às 19h.
- Traga uma pizza para nós.
Online Academic Coordinator at Rio & Learn Portuguese School.
Experienced educational coordinator and teacher since 2007, adept in curriculum development, creating physical and digital educational materials, and leveraging online platforms to enhance learning outcomes