Pattern
Negative singular imperative = nu + infinitive (without a): Nu pleca! (Don't leave!), Nu vorbi! (Don't speak!). Negative plural = nu + 2pl present: Nu plecați!, Nu vorbiți!.
Explanation
Romanian's negative imperative has a quirk: in the singular, it uses the infinitive (not the present indicative). So you tell one person Nu pleca! (Don't leave!), but in plural it's Nu plecați! (Don't leave!, pl.). This asymmetry trips up learners.
To negate a singular imperative:
- Take the infinitive form (without "a"): a pleca → pleca
- Add nu in front: Nu pleca!
Compare with the affirmative: Pleacă! (Leave! — uses a special imperative form). For negation, switch to Nu pleca! (Don't leave!).
For plural, things are easier: Nu + 2nd person plural present. Pleacați? → Nu plecați! The plural imperative form (used for affirmative Plecați!) and the negative Nu plecați! use the same shape, just with nu added for negation.
Common examples: Nu uita! (Don't forget!), Nu vorbi tare! (Don't speak loudly!), Nu fugi! (Don't run!), Nu intra! (Don't enter!).
Examples
| Romanian | English |
|---|---|
| Nu pleca încă! | Don't leave yet! |
| Nu vorbi așa! | Don't speak like that! |
| Nu uita să suni! | Don't forget to call! |
| Nu intra fără să bați! | Don't enter without knocking! |
| Nu plecați fără mine! | Don't leave (pl.) without me! |
Common mistakes
- Using affirmative imperative form with nu: Nu pleacă! is wrong; it's Nu pleca! (infinitive).
- Using plural form for singular: Telling one person Nu plecați! is too formal/plural.
- Forgetting the irregular forms: Nu fi prost! (Don't be silly! — fi from a fi), Nu face asta! (Don't do that!).