6.2 Imparative in Khmer
We use imperative clauses when we want to tell someone to do something (most commonly for advice, suggestions, requests, commands, orders or instructions). They usually don’t have a subject—they are addressed to the listener or listeners, who the speaker understands to be the subject. We use the base form of the verb.
Examples
ទៅផ្ទះ ហើយសម្រាក។ “Go home and relax.”
ឈប់និយាយ ហើយបើកសៀវភៅរបស់អ្នក។ “Stop talking and open your book.”
Negative Imperative Clause with “Don’t”
The word កុំ “don’t” is used and is followed by the base form of the verb when we want to tell people not to do things. We can use please to make an imperative sound less direct.
Examples
កុំផឹកច្រើនពេក។ “Don’t drink too much.”
កុំមកយឺត។ “Don’t be late.”
សុំកុំអង្គុយទីនេះ។ “Don’t sit here, please.”
Reading
Read the problems and provide the advice you think appropriate.
Post-reading
How do you respond when some of your friends complaining about their problems? Respond with your advice using the imparative, when appropriate and then share with your classmates/teacher.
