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Learn to Speak German Online:
German Grammar Guidebook

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Public Imperatives

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Germans use infinitives to express directives issued to the public, especially on public signs, or, in certain fixed utterances, to individuals in a fixed social role, such as a waiter, a hairdresser or gas station attendant.
 

Zahlen. The check.
Volltanken. Fill'er up.
Alle einsteigen. All aboard.
Rechts bleiben. Keep right.
Nicht parken. No parking.
Hier zahlen. Pay here.

Except for signs or these short, stereotypical directives, public imperatives may sound gruff, peremptory or authoritarian, especially in conversation.

REGULAR
 

Treten Sie zurück.
Step back. (A straightforward request)

PUBLIC
 

Zurücktreten.
Get back! (Sounds like a gruff official or a police officer barking at a crowd.)

Except for the expressions zahlen or volltanken, use the normal imperative in public situations.
 

Und schauen Sie bitte nach den Reifen.
And please check the tires.
Legen Sie ihn bitte in den Kofferraum.
Please put it in the trunk.


Examples of Public Imperatives

  • Fräulein! Zahlen! Was macht das?
  • Nein, nur waschen und legen, bitte. Und nicht toupieren. Lilo, was machen unsere Männer jetzt, was meinst du?