B1 Volitional & Imperative 15 min read Easy

Stop! Negative Commands with ～な (na)

The blunt negative imperative ～な turns any dictionary verb into an immediate, forceful 'Don't!' command.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use the dictionary form of a verb followed by 'な' to tell someone strictly NOT to do something.

  • Attach 'な' directly to the dictionary form of any verb.
  • This form is strictly casual and can sound aggressive or rude.
  • Avoid using this with superiors; use '～ないでください' instead.
Dictionary Form + な = Prohibited Action

Overview

Japanese, a language renowned for its intricate politeness levels, possesses a grammatical structure designed for direct, unmitigated prohibition: the negative imperative with ～な. This construction serves to issue an abrupt, forceful command to refrain from an action. Unlike softer prohibitions or polite requests, ～な bypasses deference, conveying an immediate and unequivocal demand.

Understanding its function and appropriate usage is crucial for intermediate learners, as its misapplication can lead to significant social missteps.

Linguistically, ～な acts as a stark interruption to an intended or ongoing action, effectively stating "Stop doing X!" or "Don't do X!" with palpable urgency or strong disapproval. Its existence underscores a fundamental aspect of language: the need for direct intervention in critical situations where politeness can be a hindrance. While seemingly simple in form, its socio-pragmatic implications are profound, demanding careful consideration of context and speaker-listener relationship.

Historically, such direct imperative forms are often preserved in languages for situations demanding universal and immediate comprehension, such as warnings, military commands, or expressions of extreme emotion. In contemporary Japanese, ～な continues to fulfill these roles, often appearing in contexts where the speaker holds a position of authority, is under duress, or is addressing someone with whom a highly casual, often male-coded, relationship exists. Mastering this form means not only understanding its grammar but also acutely perceiving the social dynamics that permit its deployment.

How This Grammar Works

The grammar of the negative imperative ～な is deceptively simple, reflecting its primary function of conveying immediacy and bluntness. Unlike many Japanese verb conjugations that involve complex stem changes or multiple affixes, ～な attaches directly to the dictionary form (basic form) of any verb, regardless of its conjugation group. This direct attachment ensures maximal conciseness and minimal cognitive load, which is essential when a rapid prohibition is required.
When ～な is affixed to a verb's dictionary form, it transmutes the verb's meaning from a potential action into a forbidden one. For example, 走る (hashiru, to run) becomes 走るな (hashiru na, don't run!). The particle な here functions as a prohibitive marker, effectively negating the verb's action and issuing a command simultaneously.
This directness is a key characteristic that sets it apart from other negative command structures, which often incorporate elements of request, politeness, or broader prohibition.
Consider the linguistic efficiency: when a situation demands an immediate halt to an action – such as preventing someone from stepping into danger – the utterance must be brief and unambiguous. The ～な form fulfills this by being phonetically short and grammatically uncomplicated. The typical pitch accent for ～な when used as a prohibitive imperative is often high-low (e.g., いくな [いくな]), adding to its sharp, decisive quality.
This intonation reinforces its commanding nature, differentiating it from the flat or rising intonation of the sentence-ending particle な.
Despite its grammatical simplicity, the pragmatic force of ～な is immense. It carries an inherent assumption of authority on the part of the speaker or a severe urgency in the situation. This form is largely associated with male speech or highly informal, rough contexts, although its use in emergencies or intense situations can transcend gender.
The implied context is one where social niceties are secondary to the immediate message of prohibition, often suggesting a warning, scolding, or a desperate plea to halt an action.
For instance, if a child is about to touch a hot stove, an adult might instinctively shout 触るな！ (sawaru na, Don't touch it!). The directness here is not merely stylistic; it's functional, designed to elicit an immediate, unthinking response. This form is rarely encountered in polite or formal conversations precisely because its inherent bluntness undermines the social harmony (wa) that is highly valued in Japanese communication.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of the negative imperative with ～な is exceptionally straightforward, requiring no complex conjugations or changes to the verb stem. You simply take the verb in its dictionary form and append な directly. This consistency across all verb types makes it easy to apply once the dictionary form is known.
2
Rule: Verb Dictionary Form + な
3
No matter the verb's group (Group 1/Godan, Group 2/Ichidan, or Irregular), the process remains identical.
4
Here is a detailed conjugation table demonstrating this pattern:
5
| Verb Type | Dictionary Form | Negative Imperative | Translation | Example Context |
6
|:----------|:----------------|:--------------------|:------------------|:-------------------------------------------------|
7
| Group 1 | 行く(いく) | 行くな(いくな) | Don't go! | Danger ahead! あっちへ行くな！ (Acchi e ikuna! Don't go there!) |
8
| Group 1 | 話す(はなす) | 話すな(はなすな) | Don't talk! | During a test: 話すな！ (Hanasu na! Don't talk!) |
9
| Group 1 | 買う(かう) | 買うな(かうな) | Don't buy (it)! | Warning about a bad product: あれは買うな。 (Are wa kau na. Don't buy that.) |
10
| Group 1 | 待つ(まつ) | 待つな(まつな) | Don't wait! | In an emergency: 待つな、すぐ逃げろ！ (Matsu na, sugu nigero! Don't wait, run now!) |
11
| Group 2 | 食べる(たべる)| 食べるな(たべるな)| Don't eat! | Food poisoning warning: その古いパンは食べるな。 (Sono furui pan wa taberu na. Don't eat that old bread.) |
12
| Group 2 | 見る(みる) | 見るな(みるな) | Don't look! | To a child: 危ないから見るな。 (Abunai kara miru na. Don't look, it's dangerous.) |
13
| Group 2 | 寝る(ねる) | 寝るな(ねるな) | Don't sleep! | Staying awake for a project: 寝るな、頑張れ！ (Neru na, ganbare! Don't sleep, hang in there!) |
14
| Irregular | する(する) | するな(するな) | Don't do (it)! | Stop mischief: そんなことするな！ (Son'na koto suru na! Don't do such a thing!) |
15
| Irregular | 来る(くる) | 来るな(くるな) | Don't come! | Telling someone to stay away: もう二度とここに来るな。 (Mou nido to koko ni kuru na. Don't ever come here again.) |
16
It is critical to remember that no modifications are made to the verb itself before adding な. Any attempt to combine な with other verb forms (e.g., ～ます form, ～て form) will result in grammatically incorrect and often unintelligible Japanese. The beauty and brute force of this form lie in its unadorned directness.

When To Use It

Employing the ～な negative imperative requires a keen awareness of social context, as its inherent bluntness makes it suitable only for specific situations. Its usage is typically reserved for scenarios demanding immediate, unequivocal prohibition, often where social deference is suspended due to urgency or established relationships.
One primary context is Emergency and Critical Situations. When a person's safety is at risk, the need for immediate action overrides politeness. You might hear 止まるな！ (Tomaru na!
Don't stop!) if someone is driving dangerously, or 動くな！ (Ugoku na! Don't move!) from a police officer. These are moments where brevity and directness are paramount for survival or control.
～な is also commonly found in Public Prohibitions and Warnings. Signs, posters, and official announcements frequently use this form to convey rules. Examples include 立入禁止 入るな(はいるな) (Tachiiri Kinshi / Hairu na – No Entry), 駐車禁止 止めるな(とめるな) (Chūsha Kinshi / Tomeru na – No Parking), or ゴミを捨てるな (Gomi o suteru na – Don't litter).
In these impersonal contexts, the directness serves to establish clear, non-negotiable boundaries.
A significant domain for ～な is Male-coded Rough Speech, particularly within close male friendships, in sports, or in dramatic narratives like anime and manga. This usage is less about urgency and more about expressing strong emotion, exasperation, or encouragement through blunt prohibition. A coach might yell 諦めるな！ (Akirameru na!
Don't give up!) to motivate a team. Among close male friends, 馬鹿なこと言うな！ (Baka na koto iu na! Don't say stupid things!) might be used in a joking yet reprimanding manner.
Furthermore, ～な can be used within Very Close, Informal Relationships where mutual understanding of the bluntness prevents offense. This is often observed between parents and children, older siblings and younger ones, or very intimate partners, especially when expressing frustration or concern. For instance, a worried parent might tell a careless child 忘れ物するなよ！ (Wasuremono suru na yo!
Don't forget your things, okay!). The added よ softens the command slightly but retains its direct prohibitive nature.
In online gaming or competitive environments, ～な is frequently used regardless of gender due to the high-pressure, often anonymous nature of interactions. 死ぬな！ (Shinu na! Don't die!) is a common shout among teammates in online games, emphasizing the urgency without personal offense.
The context itself dictates the acceptance of such direct language.
It is crucial to note that using ～な with superiors, strangers, or in formal settings is almost universally considered extremely rude and inappropriate. The social cost of misusing this form is high, potentially damaging relationships or creating severe offense. Always err on the side of caution and opt for softer alternatives in uncertain situations.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter pitfalls when attempting to use the negative imperative ～な, primarily due to its phonetic similarity to other Japanese particles or its stark contrast with more polite forms. Avoiding these common mistakes is key to deploying ～な effectively and appropriately.
One of the most frequent errors is confusing the prohibitive ～な with the sentence-ending particle な. While both end sentences, their function, usage, and often intonation are distinct. The sentence-ending な (typically pronounced with a rising or flat intonation, e.g., 美味しいな [oishii na] – It's delicious, isn't it? or Oh, it's delicious) expresses exclamation, confirmation-seeking, or reflection, and attaches to various word types (adjectives, nouns + だ/です, verb plain forms). In contrast, the prohibitive ～な only attaches to verb dictionary forms and conveys a direct command (e.g., 食べるな [taberu na] – Don't eat!). The intonation for the prohibitive な typically falls, creating a sharp, decisive sound. Always consider the word type な attaches to and the overall context.
Another significant mistake is conflating ～な with ～なさい. Both are imperative forms, but their social connotations are poles apart. ～なさい is a milder, more instructive command, often used by parents, teachers, or superiors to subordinates. It carries a tone of guidance or gentle authority, as in 早く食べなさい (Hayaku tabenasai – Eat quickly). ～な is an abrupt prohibition, carrying no such gentleness or instructional nuance; it is purely a direct halt. To say 食べなさい when you mean 食べるな would be to issue a command to eat rather than to refrain from eating, and to use 食べるな when 食べなさい is appropriate would be severely rude.
Learners also often confuse ～な with the much softer prohibition, ～ないでください (～ないで + ください). While ～ないでください also means "please don't do X," it functions as a polite request, acknowledging the listener's autonomy. For instance, 見ないでください (Minai de kudasai – Please don't look) is a polite entreaty. 見るな (Miru na – Don't look!) is a harsh, non-negotiable command. Using 見るな where 見ないでください is expected would be highly confrontational.
A further error involves the misuse of ～な in inappropriate social contexts. Due to its inherent bluntness, ～な is unsuitable for formal interactions, conversations with strangers, or addressing superiors. Japanese communication heavily relies on reading the air (空気を読む, kūki o yomu), and using such a direct command in a polite context demonstrates a profound lack of cultural understanding. For example, telling your professor 遅れるな！ (Okureru na! Don't be late!) would be considered insubordinate and disrespectful.
Finally, some learners mistakenly attempt to attach ～な to verb forms other than the dictionary form. Remember the strict rule: ～な only follows the dictionary form. Forms like 行きますな (ikimasu na) or 行くなさい (iku nasai) are ungrammatical and will be met with confusion.
To avoid these pitfalls, always consider: 1) the specific verb form な attaches to, 2) the intonation, and most importantly, 3) the speaker-listener relationship and the formality of the situation. When in doubt, opt for a softer, more universally polite prohibition.

Real Conversations

Understanding ～な in a theoretical sense is foundational, but appreciating its role in real Japanese conversations reveals its dynamic and context-dependent nature. While textbooks often present idealized sentences, actual usage is colored by emotion, relationship, and urgency.

1. Emergency or High-Stakes Situations:

In moments of danger, ～な emerges as the default for immediate prohibition, cutting through any need for politeness. Imagine a scene where a child runs into the street:

P

Parent

危ない！止まれ！ (Abunai! Tomare! – Dangerous! Stop!)

Parent (more emphatically): 動くな！ (Ugoku na! – Don't move!)

Here, 動くな is a primal command, prioritizing safety above all else. The urgency in the parent's voice would make the meaning unmistakable, overriding any potential rudeness in the given context.

2. Close, Informal Relationships (often male-coded):

Among very close friends or family, ～な can express exasperation, playful warning, or genuine concern without causing offense. This is especially prevalent in male speech. Consider two male friends gaming:

A

A

おい、まだ特攻するのか？ (Oi, mada tokkō suru no ka? – Hey, are you still going to charge in recklessly?)
B

B

は？勝てるって！ (Ha? Kateru tte! – Huh? I can win!)

C (teammate, urgently): 馬鹿！行くな！死ぬぞ！ (Baka! Iku na! Shinu zo! – Idiot! Don't go! You'll die!)

In this exchange, 行くな and 死ぬぞ (a blunt warning) are direct, reflecting the high-pressure, informal nature of gaming and the close relationship among the players. The use of 馬鹿 (baka, idiot) further emphasizes the extreme informality and male-coded interaction.

3. Warnings and Scolding (e.g., parent-child):

Parents often use ～な with their children when setting boundaries or expressing frustration over repeated misbehavior. The directness serves to establish parental authority.

C

Child

このおもちゃ、壊して遊んでいい？ (Kono omocha, kowashite asonde ii? – Can I play with this toy by breaking it?)
P

Parent

ダメ！そんなことするな！ (Dame! Son'na koto suru na! – No! Don't do such a thing!)

Here, するな is a firm parental command, leaving no room for negotiation. It's a clear prohibition rooted in the established hierarchy of the family.

4. Internal Monologue or Self-Admonishment:

Interestingly, ～な can also appear in self-talk, often representing a strong internal warning or resolve not to do something. While not a "conversation," it's a real cognitive use.

(Thinking about unhealthy food)* ああ、これも食べるな、食べるな…。 (Aa, kore mo taberu na, taberu na… – Ah, don't eat this, don't eat this…)

This reflects an internal struggle, a direct command to oneself to refrain from an undesirable action. It showcases the versatility of ～な beyond direct external address.

5. Signs and Public Notices:

While not "conversations" in the traditional sense, understanding how ～な is used in public signage is crucial for navigating Japan. These are often abbreviated and highly direct.

(Sign near construction site):* 危険！立入禁止 入るな！ (Kiken! Tachiiri Kinshi Hairu na! – Danger! No Entry! Don't enter!)

Here, 入るな is the most concise and forceful way to convey the prohibition, designed for immediate visual comprehension and compliance.

These examples illustrate that ～な is not merely a grammatically available option but a pragmatically loaded expression. Its appearance signals specific dynamics – urgency, intimacy, or established authority – that define the interaction.

Quick FAQ

Q1: Is ～な exclusively for male speakers?
A1: Traditionally and stereotypically, ～な is associated with male speech due to its blunt and direct nature. However, this is not an absolute rule in modern Japanese. Women may use ～な in highly informal, close relationships (e.g., with children or very close female friends), in moments of extreme anger or frustration, or in gender-neutral contexts like online gaming or emergency situations.
When women use it, it can convey a strong, sometimes deliberately assertive or even aggressive, tone, which can be perceived as rough or unladylike in formal settings. It is generally advisable for female learners to use it cautiously until they have a very solid grasp of the social nuances.
Q2: How does intonation affect the meaning of ～な?
A2: Intonation is crucial for distinguishing the prohibitive ～な from the sentence-ending particle な. For the prohibitive ～な, the pitch typically falls on な or the syllable immediately preceding it, creating a sharp, decisive, and commanding tone (e.g., いくな [いくな]). In contrast, the sentence-ending な often has a flat or slightly rising intonation, conveying exclamation, reflection, or seeking agreement (e.g., 美味しいな [おいしいな] – It's delicious, isn't it?
or Oh, it's delicious). Paying attention to the native speaker's intonation is key to correctly interpreting and producing this form.
Q3: Can I use ～な to tell someone "Don't forget"?
A3: Yes, 忘れるな(わすれるな) (Wasureu na!) is a very common and natural way to say "Don't forget!" or "Don't you dare forget!". It carries a strong emotional weight, implying the importance of the thing to be remembered. It can be used as a serious warning, a heartfelt plea among close friends, or even as self-admonishment.
For example, a mentor might tell a student, 今日の教訓を忘れるなよ (Kyō no kyōkun o wasureru na yo – Don't forget today's lesson, okay?).
Q4: What if I want to be firm but still polite when prohibiting something?
A4: For a firm yet polite prohibition, the most common and safest option is ～ないでください (～ないで + ください). This form explicitly asks the listener to refrain from an action and includes the polite request marker ください. While not as gentle as ～ないで used alone, ～ないでください is universally polite and appropriate in most situations where you need to prohibit an action without being rude.
For example, instead of 触るな！ (Don't touch!), you would say 触らないでください (Sawaranai de kudasai – Please don't touch). If ください feels too direct, a more indirect approach using ～のはちょっと… or ～のはやめていただけますか can be even softer.
Q5: Is ～な acceptable in written communication, like texts or social media?
A5: In informal written communication, especially among close friends or in specific online communities (e.g., gaming forums), ～な is common. It effectively conveys the same bluntness and urgency as in spoken language. For instance, in a chat with a friend who is about to make a bad decision, you might text 落ち着け、変なこと言うな！ (Ochitsuke, hen na koto iu na!
– Calm down, don't say weird things!). However, its use should be restricted to contexts where such directness is expected and won't cause offense. For any formal written communication, or with individuals you don't have a very close, casual relationship with, avoid ～な entirely.
Use more formal prohibitive expressions like ～しないでください or ～てはいけません.
Q6: How does ～な compare to ～てはいけません (～ちゃいけません)?
A6: Both ～な and ～てはいけません convey prohibition, but their nuances and formality levels are distinct. ～てはいけません (or its casual contraction ～ちゃいけません) translates to "You must not do X" or "It is forbidden to do X." It's a more objective, rule-based prohibition, often used in formal settings like school rules, public signs (though less common than ～な for simple directness), or when a parent lays down a formal rule for a child. For example, ここで走ってはいけません (Koko de hashitte wa ikemasen – You must not run here) is a statement of a rule.
走るな！ (Hashiru na!) is a direct, urgent command to stop running now. ～な is personal, immediate, and high-impact, while ～てはいけません is a more detached, general statement of prohibition. ～な is often an emotional reaction, ～てはいけません is a logical rule enforcement.

Prohibitive Form Conjugation

Verb Type Dictionary Form Prohibitive Form Meaning
Group 1
行く
行くな
Don't go
Group 1
話す
話すな
Don't talk
Group 2
食べる
食べるな
Don't eat
Group 2
見る
見るな
Don't look
Group 3
する
するな
Don't do
Group 3
来る
来るな
Don't come

Meanings

The negative imperative (prohibitive) form is used to command someone to stop or not perform an action.

1

Strict Prohibition

A direct, often blunt command to refrain from an action.

“{触|さわ}るな！”

“{見|み}るな！”

Reference Table

Reference table for Stop! Negative Commands with ～な (na)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Dictionary Form
行く
Negative Command
Dictionary Form + な
行くな
Polite Request
Negative Te-form + ください
行かないでください
Soft Suggestion
Negative + ほうがいい
行かないほうがいい
Positive Command
Masu-stem + なさい
行きなさい

Formality Spectrum

Formal
それを食べないでください。

それを食べないでください。 (Food)

Neutral
それを食べないで。

それを食べないで。 (Food)

Informal
それを食べるな。

それを食べるな。 (Food)

Slang
食うなよ。

食うなよ。 (Food)

The 'Na' Command Map

Dictionary Form + な

Usage

  • Casual Friends
  • Urgent Danger

Tone

  • Blunt Direct
  • Aggressive Strong
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Examples by Level

1

{行|い}くな！

Don't go!

2

{見|み}るな！

Don't look!

3

{食|た}べるな！

Don't eat!

4

{来|く}るな！

Don't come!

1

そこに{座|すわ}るな。

Don't sit there.

2

{話|はな}すな！

Don't talk!

3

{触|さわ}るな！

Don't touch it!

4

{泣|な}くな。

Don't cry.

1

そんなこと{言|い}うなよ。

Don't say things like that.

2

{諦|あきら}めるな！

Don't give up!

3

{忘|わす}れるな。

Don't forget.

4

{心配|しんぱい}するな。

Don't worry.

1

二度と{来|く}るな。

Don't ever come back.

2

俺の{物|もの}に{触|さわ}るな。

Don't touch my stuff.

3

そんなに{急|いそ}ぐな。

Don't be in such a hurry.

4

嘘を{つ|つ}くな！

Don't lie!

1

そんな{無茶|むちゃ}なことは{考|かんが}えるな。

Don't even think about doing something so reckless.

2

私の{人生|じんせい}に{干渉|かんしょう}するな。

Don't interfere in my life.

3

自分を{責|せ}めるな。

Don't blame yourself.

4

{油断|ゆだん}するな。

Don't let your guard down.

1

人の{心|こころ}を{弄|もてあそ}ぶような{真似|まね}はするな。

Don't do things that toy with people's hearts.

2

過去に{囚|とら}われるな。

Don't be trapped by the past.

3

{妥協|だきょう}するな。

Don't compromise.

4

{後悔|こうかい}するな。

Don't regret it.

Easily Confused

Stop! Negative Commands with ～な (na) vs ～な (Prohibitive) vs ～なさい (Imperative)

Both end in 'na' and are used for commands.

Stop! Negative Commands with ～な (na) vs ～な (Prohibitive) vs ～ないでください (Request)

Both are negative commands.

Stop! Negative Commands with ～な (na) vs ～な (Prohibitive) vs ～な (Sentence-ending particle)

Both are written as 'な'.

Common Mistakes

✗

行くなさい

✓

行くな

Mixing two different command forms.
✗

行かないな

✓

行くな

Using the negative form instead of the dictionary form.
✗

行くなください

✓

行かないでください

Trying to make the 'na' form polite.
✗

行くのな

✓

行くな

Adding unnecessary particles.
✗

食べないな

✓

食べるな

Using the negative stem.
✗

するなさい

✓

しなさい

Confusing the prohibitive with the imperative.
✗

見ないな

✓

見るな

Using the negative stem.
✗

行くなです

✓

行かないでください

Attempting to politize the prohibitive.
✗

話すなさい

✓

話しなさい

Confusing prohibitive and imperative.
✗

来るなさい

✓

来なさい

Confusing prohibitive and imperative.

Sentence Patterns

___な！

そんなに___な。

二度と___な。

自分の___な。

Real World Usage

Texting common

そんなこと言うな！

Anime constant

死ぬな！

Sports very common

諦めるな！

Parenting common

触るな！

Social Media common

嘘をつくな。

Travel occasional

入るな！

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💡

Context is Key

Always check who you are talking to before using this form.
⚠️

Avoid Superiors

Using this with a boss or teacher is a major social mistake.
🎯

Anime Learning

Notice how characters use this when they are angry or desperate.
💬

Tone Matters

The 'na' form is inherently aggressive; use it sparingly.

Smart Tips

Don't use 'na'. Use 'naide kudasai'.

行くなください → 行かないでください

Use 'na' for quick commands.

行かないでください → 行くな！

Use 'na' to show closeness.

食べないでください → 食べるな！

Use 'na' for dramatic effect.

死なないでください → 死ぬな！

Pronunciation

naaa

Emphasis

The 'na' is often elongated for extra emphasis.

Falling

行くな↘

A firm, final command.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Na' as a 'No' sound. 'Iku' (go) + 'Na' (No) = 'Don't go!'

Visual Association

Imagine a red stop sign with the word 'NA' written on it in big letters. Every time you see a verb, imagine slapping a 'NA' sticker on it to stop the action.

Rhyme

Dictionary form is the base, add a 'na' right in your face!

Story

Ken is running towards a cliff. His friend shouts 'Tomaru na!' (Don't stop!). But then he sees a snake and shouts 'Sawaru na!' (Don't touch!). Ken stops, safe from both.

Word Web

行く食べる見るする来る話す

Challenge

For the next 5 minutes, look at 5 verbs and conjugate them into the 'na' form out loud.

Cultural Notes

The 'na' form is extremely common in anime to show character conflict.

Coaches use it to give quick, direct instructions.

Parents use it when children are in danger.

The 'na' prohibitive comes from the classical Japanese 'na' particle used for negation.

Conversation Starters

“

What would you say if your friend was about to eat something bad?

“

How do you tell someone not to go somewhere in a casual way?

“

When is it appropriate to use the 'na' form?

“

Compare 'na' and 'nasai'.

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you had to tell someone to stop doing something.
Describe a scene in an anime where the 'na' form is used.
Explain the social risks of using the 'na' form.
Discuss the difference between 'na', 'nasai', and 'naide kudasai'.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Which is the correct prohibitive form of '行く'? Multiple Choice

行く___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Add 'な' to the dictionary form.
Conjugate '食べる' into the prohibitive form.

___な！

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Use the dictionary form.
Fix the error in '行くなさい'. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

行くなさい

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Confusing prohibitive and imperative.
Order the words: [な, 触る, それに]. Sentence Building

それに触るな

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct word order.
Match the verb to its prohibitive form. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Dictionary form + na.
What is the prohibitive of 'する'? Conjugation Drill

する -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Dictionary form + na.
Is it okay to use 'na' with a teacher? True False Rule

True or False?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
It is rude.
Friend: 'I'm going to touch that snake!' You: '___!' Dialogue Completion

___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Emergency command.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Which is the correct prohibitive form of '行く'? Multiple Choice

行く___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Add 'な' to the dictionary form.
Conjugate '食べる' into the prohibitive form.

___な！

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Use the dictionary form.
Fix the error in '行くなさい'. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

行くなさい

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Confusing prohibitive and imperative.
Order the words: [な, 触る, それに]. Sentence Building

それに触るな

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct word order.
Match the verb to its prohibitive form. Match Pairs

見る -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Dictionary form + na.
What is the prohibitive of 'する'? Conjugation Drill

する -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Dictionary form + na.
Is it okay to use 'na' with a teacher? True False Rule

True or False?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
It is rude.
Friend: 'I'm going to touch that snake!' You: '___!' Dialogue Completion

___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Emergency command.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Translate 'Don't run!' into the Japanese negative imperative. Translation

Don't run!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {走|はし}るな
Reorder the words to say 'Don't look at my computer!' Sentence Reorder

[な] [を] [パソコン] [俺の] [見る]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 俺のパソコンを見るな
Match the dictionary form to its negative imperative. Match Pairs

Match the verbs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
Complete the sign: 'Don't throw trash here!' Fill in the Blank

ここにゴミを___。 (Throw away: {捨|す}てる)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {捨|す}てるな
In an emergency, which is the fastest way to say 'Don't jump!'? Multiple Choice

Quick command:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {飛|と}ぶな！
Fix the mistake: 'Don't drink!' Error Correction

{飲|の}みな！

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {飲|の}むな！
Translate 'Don't be late!' in a rough/direct way. Translation

Don't be late!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {遅|おく}れるな
Reorder: 'Don't believe that lie!' Sentence Reorder

[な] [信|しん]じる [嘘|うそ] [を] [その]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: その嘘を信じるな
Which one sounds like something a coach would yell? Multiple Choice

Motivation:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {諦|あきら}めるな！
Fill in the blank for 'Don't talk!' during a movie. Fill in the Blank

{映画|えいが}の{中|なか}で___！ (Talk: {喋|しゃべ}る)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {喋|しゃべ}るな

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, only with dictionary form.

It is blunt, so yes, it can be perceived as rude.

Use '～ないでください'.

Yes, in manga and casual notes.

No, it's the same for all.

To show strong emotions.

No, 'desu' is for politeness.

It is gender-neutral but often sounds more masculine.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Imperative negative (No + verb)

Word order is reversed.

French low

Imperative negative (Ne + verb + pas)

French is complex; Japanese is simple.

German low

Imperative negative (Nicht + verb)

German is adverbial; Japanese is morphological.

Japanese high

～ないでください

Politeness level.

Arabic moderate

La + jussive

Word order.

Chinese moderate

不要 (Bu yao)

Word order.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Japanese Imperative Form: Mastering Casual Commands (Meireikei)

Learn These First

B1 Builds On

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