---
title: "The imperative: Kom binnen!"
level: A1
chapter: "Verbs now"
canonical: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/imperative
updated: 2026-10-08
author: Dutch Fluency
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
---

# The imperative: Kom binnen!

To tell someone what to do in Dutch, you use the imperative (the command form). Take the stem of the verb (roughly, the verb without _-en_) and put it first: _Kom binnen!_ means "Come in!" It works for one friend or a whole group. To be polite you add _u_ (_Komt u binnen_), and signs often use the infinitive (the dictionary form): _Niet roken_.

## The pattern

> For _jij_ and _jullie_, put the bare verb stem first and usually leave out the pronoun: _Kom!_, _Wacht!_, _Luister!_

- Find the stem as usual: _lopen_ becomes _loop_, _zitten_ becomes _zit_, _geven_ becomes _geef_ (see [Finding the stem of a verb](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/verb-stem)).
- The same form works for one person or a group: _Wacht, Sanne!_ and _Wacht, jongens!_
- Polite: use the _u_ form of the verb, then _u_: _Komt u binnen._ _Gaat u zitten._ (more in [U or jij](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/u-or-jij))
- Softer: add _even_ (just, for a moment) or _maar_ (go ahead): _Wacht even._ _Kom maar._
- [Separable verbs](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/separable-verbs) usually send their small part to the end: _Kom binnen._ _Doe het raam dicht._
- Signs and many general instructions use the infinitive: _Niet roken._ _Duwen._
- _zijn_ is the odd one out: _Wees stil!_, and politely _Weest u voorzichtig._

## Examples

| **Kom binnen**, Daan! | Come in, Daan! |
| **Wacht even**, ik pak mijn fiets. | Wait a moment, I'm getting my bike. |
| Jongens, **luister even**! | Guys, listen for a second! |
| **Komt u** binnen, meneer Jansen. | Come in, Mr Jansen. |
| **Gaat u maar** zitten. | Please take a seat. |
| **Neem maar** een stuk taart, Yara. | Go ahead, have a piece of cake, Yara. |
| **Wees** voorzichtig, het is glad. | Be careful, it's slippery. |
| **Doe** het raam **dicht**, Bas. | Close the window, Bas. |
| **Niet roken** | No smoking |
| **Duwen** | Push |

## Why it works this way

When you give a command, the person is right in front of you. There is no need to say _jij_: you are practically pointing at them. So Dutch strips the verb down to its core, just as English does with "Come in!"

A sign talks to nobody in particular, so it does not choose a person at all. It uses the neutral dictionary form: _Niet parkeren_, _Trekken_. You will also hear this as a firm, impersonal order, for example from a teacher: _Opletten!_ ("Pay attention!")

On its own, a bare command like _Wacht!_ can sound abrupt. Dutch speakers very often add a small word. _Even_ makes the request feel quick and light (it has nothing to do with English "even"). _Maar_ gives permission or encouragement: _Kom maar_ means "go ahead, come in, it's fine". More in Even, maar, eens.

The _u_ form sounds polite and a little formal. You will hear it at the GP, at the _gemeente_ counter and in shops.

If your language has a separate plural command, as German, Spanish and Arabic do, relax: Dutch uses the same form for _jullie_.

Remember: when you speak to someone directly, one friend or a whole group, use the stem. To be polite, use the _u_ form plus _u_: _Komt u binnen_. When a sign speaks to nobody in particular, it usually uses the infinitive.

## Watch out

- Not: _Komt binnen, Sanne!_ Say: _Kom binnen, Sanne!_ (no _-t_ in a _jij_ command)
- Not: _Kom u binnen, mevrouw._ Say: _Komt u binnen, mevrouw._ (with _u_, use the _u_ form: _u komt_)
- Not: _Ben voorzichtig, Ahmed!_ Say: _Wees voorzichtig, Ahmed!_ (_zijn_ has its own command form)
- Not: _Opbel me morgen._ Say: _Bel me morgen op._ (the small part goes to the end)

## Quick check

1. Your friend Lotte is at the door. (komen) ... binnen, Lotte!
2. At the GP, the assistant calls Carlos in and says: (gaan) ... u zitten.
3. Your neighbour Joris asks if he can come in. You mean "go ahead": Kom ... binnen. (even / maar)
4. A sign in the train says: Niet ... (eten)

## Answers

1. _Kom_: for _jij_, use the stem alone.
2. _Gaat_: with _u_, use the _u_ form (_u gaat_).
3. _maar_: _maar_ gives permission.
4. _eten_: signs like this use the infinitive.

## Use it today

When a colleague or neighbour knocks today, say _Kom maar binnen!_ or, if you are busy, _Wacht even!_ On your way home, spot one sign with an infinitive and work out what it tells you to do.

## Questions learners ask

**How do you make the imperative in Dutch?**

Take the stem of the verb (usually the infinitive without -en, with the normal spelling changes) and put it at the start of the sentence: Kom binnen!, Wacht even! The same form is used for one person and for a group.

**How do you give a polite command in Dutch?**

Use the u form of the verb followed by u, as in Komt u binnen or Gaat u zitten. Adding maar, as in Gaat u maar zitten, makes it sound even friendlier.

**What do even and maar mean in Wacht even and Kom maar?**

Even means "just" or "for a moment" and makes a request sound light, so Wacht even means "wait a moment". Maar gives permission or encouragement, so Kom maar means "go ahead, come in".

From the Dutch Fluency Grammar: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar. Shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.