We use the imperative form of verbs to give commands. We use it in circumstances such as getting someone's attention. Even when you are saying mi scusi or scusa (excuse me), you are using the imperative form. On any conjugation chart, you will find the imperative form for a verb, where applicable. For example, the verb andare (to go).

Vai! Va' (imperative form, familiar second person singular). Go!

Vada! (imperative formal second person singular). Go!

Andate! (imperative informal second person plural). Go!

Vadano (imperative formal second person plural) Go!

Andiamo! (first person plural imperative). Let's go.

Vai via, non seguirmi più.

Go away, don't follow me anymore.

Caption 48, Non è mai troppo tardi EP 2 - Part 7

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But there is another common way to form an imperative in certain circumstances. When a command is directed at the public in general, not a specific person, the infinitive is often used. For example, we'll hear the infinitive in a command at a train station:

Attenzione. Allontanarsi dalla linea gialla.

Attention please. Step back from the yellow line.

Caption 7, Sposami EP 2 - Part 26

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In navigating instructions:

Tenere la destra, tenere la sinistra.

Bear right, bear left.

Caption 22, Stai lontana da me Rai Cinema - Part 16

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Instructions for staying safe during Covid-19.

Lavarsi bene le mani con sapone, per almeno venti secondi

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, for at least twenty seconds,

Caption 54, COVID-19 Domande frequenti - Part 2

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 Putting someone on hold. 

Attendere, prego.

Wait, please.

Caption 3, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP3 Vicini - Part 6

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The infinitive is also used for negative informal commands in the second-person singular. So to form a negative command, instead of using non with the conjugated verb, we use non with the infinitive of the verb. 

non andare

No, aspetta, aspetta, Lara. Aspetta. Non andare.

No, wait, wait, Lara. Wait. Don't go.

Captions 7-8, Il Commissario Manara S2EP4 - Miss Maremma - Part 1

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non fare così

Avanti, dai, Tiziana, non fare così. Vieni qua.

Come on, please, Tiziana, don't be like this. Come here.

Caption 25, Il Commissario Manara S2EP9 - L'amica ritrovata - Part 7

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non piangere

Dai, dai, non piangere più, calmati un po'.

Come on, come on, stop crying, calm down a little.

Caption 64, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone S1EP1 I Bastardi - Part 4

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non mi lasciare!

Amore, non mi lasciare.

Love, don't leave me.

Caption 74, Sposami EP 2 - Part 18

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non fare lo scemo

Ma non fare lo scemo, dai!

But don't be an idiot, come on!

Caption 27, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 1 EP3 Un cugino in fuga - Part 8

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And when the command is negative and addressed to the general public, the same holds true. Non plus the infinitive.

Non calpestare l'erba (don't walk on the grass).

Non attraversare col rosso (don't cross with a red light).

Think of some commands such as: parla (speak)! And then make it negative: non parlare (don't speak).

Verbs to try: If you're not sure of the right conjugation, look it up in WordReference. 

aspettare (to wait), dormire (to sleep), correre (to run), rallentare (to slow down), guardare (to look), etc.

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On a very basic level, "the vote" and "to vote" have cognates in Italian (il voto and votare), but a recent video on Yabla provided the spark for a little research into these words. 

In the first segment of a documentary about comic books, there's a curious example of votare meaning not "to vote," but rather "to devote." It's rare enough that it needed looking up and we wondered if it might be an error. It wasn't. 

La sua vita è votata al soddisfacimento di un obiettivo, che è quello di mettersi alla prova nel furto.

His life is devoted to the satisfaction of a goal, which is that of proving oneself in theft.

Captions 24-25, Fumettology Diabolik - Part 1

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Looking up this meaning for votare called up other connections. 

It’s customary in some Christian religions to give up something for Lent, the forty days preceding Easter. In Italian, this is often called un voto (a vow). And let’s think of “votive” lights or candles, used to remember the dead. A votive candle signifies literally that the lighting is done in fulfillment of a vow (Latin, "votum").

Sono pinakes, tavolette votive che vengono dal tempio di Persefone, la dea della Primavera.

They're pinakes, little votive tablets that come from the Temple of Persephone, the goddess of spring.

Captions 20-21, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP2 Come piante fra sassi - Part 12

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There is a long tradition of vows in Italian history, closely tied to the history of the Roman Catholic Church. People would pledge money, acts of charity, or courage, such as going on a crusade. Symbols of these vows can be found hanging on the walls of many old Italian churches and are called ex-voti from the Latin phrase "ex-voto suscepto," meaning "from the vow made"). 

È vero che abbiamo fatto voto di povertà, però pure i colli dei frati tengono [napoletano: hanno] freddo, no?

It's true that we made a vow of poverty, but even the necks of friars get cold, right?

Captions 58-59, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone EP 3 Vicini - Part 6

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In Italian schools, students get votes, not grades. 

Mettiamo che io abbia due bambini. il primo fa il dettato senza errori, che voto gli do?

Let's say I have two kids. The first one does the dictation with no errors. What grade do I give him?

Captions 54-56, Non è mai troppo tardi EP 2 - Part 22

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Thanks for reading.

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