命 令 文(めいれいぶん)

めいれいぶん

noun

imperative sentence; command sentence (grammar)

1. imperative sentence; command sentence

A grammatical sentence type that expresses an order, instruction, or request, such as English "Sit down" or Japanese 座(すわ)れ. Used in language instruction and grammar analysis.

命令文(めいれいぶん)は主語(しゅご)を省略(しょうりゃく)することが多(おお)い。

Imperative sentences often omit the subject.

「走(はし)れ」は動詞(どうし)の命令文(めいれいぶん)だ。

"Hashire" is an imperative form of the verb.

日本語(にほんご)の命令文(めいれいぶん)は相手(あいて)との関係(かんけい)によって、丁寧(ていねい)な形(かたち)と乱暴(らんぼう)な形(かたち)を使(つか)い分(わ)ける必要(ひつよう)がある。

In Japanese imperative sentences, you have to choose between polite and blunt forms depending on your relationship with the listener.

Compound of 命令(めいれい) (command, order) + 文(ぶん) (sentence). A technical term used in grammar textbooks and linguistics, not in everyday conversation.

Common collocations

命令文(めいれいぶん)を作(つく)る: to form an imperative sentence
命令文(めいれいぶん)の用法(ようほう): usage of imperatives
否定(ひてい)の命令文(めいれいぶん): negative imperative (e.g., 「行(い)くな」 "don't go")

Usage

Japanese has several imperative forms with different politeness levels:

Plain 命令形(めいれいけい): 書(か)け (write!) — blunt, often male
〜なさい: 書(か)きなさい (write) — gentle command, often parental
〜てください: 書(か)いてください (please write) — polite request

Similar words

命令形(めいれいけい): imperative form — the verb form itself, vs. a full sentence
依頼文(いらいぶん): request sentence — softer than a command

Related Words

Related: 命令(めいれい) (order, command)

Compare: 命令形(めいれいけい) (imperative form)

general

Added 2026.5.28 12:07 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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