When the adverb bare (‘just’) comes before a verb in the imperative mode, it is typically used to provide the recipient with a suggested solution/action to a presented problem. The bare construction can signal that the solution is simple or straightforward, while simultaneously indicating that the problem is not as big or complicated as it was presented as. 

Typically, when a speaker uses an imperative it’s an indication that they have the authority to direct the recipient to perform the action expressed by the imperative. This authority can have a variety of bases, e.g., access to knowledge or social structures, and is context dependent. This means that the same speaker can claim authority in some situations, and not in other situations. 

There is a difference between whether an imperative is used alone (potentially along with an object as in slip bremsen (‘let go of the brake’ or tag opvasken ‘do the dishes’) or along with a modifying word like e.g. bare (‘just’). If the imperative stands alone, it signals that the speaker has very high authority and such constructions are typically used if the requested action has to be performed immediately. By contrast, if the imperative is modified it becomes less relevant whether the action is performed right away, and other factors surrounding the request play a bigger role. If the imperative is modified by, e.g., a preceding bare (‘just’), it’s not necesarilly a wish that the action should happen right away – although it may be so. Rather, focus is placed on the fact that there is a simple solution to the proposed problem. In the following example the four conversation participants are discussing university students and their problems with taking responsibility. M, a student herself, has begun telling a story about how younger students use her as an information source, rather than looking at the university’s online platform FirstClass: