JLPT N4 grammar comparison
Imperative form (命令形) "Do!" vs 〜なさい "do (polite command)"
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the Imperative form (命令形) "Do!" lesson
〜なさい "do (polite command)": A softer command used by parents and teachers and in exam instructions. Still not for superiors.
From the 〜なさい "do (polite command)" lesson
Imperative form (命令形) "Do!": The blunt command (食べろ). なさい is gentler and is the form used by mothers and teachers, but both are downward commands.
Side by side
Imperative form (命令形) "Do!"
meirei-kei · JLPT N4
- Meaning
- Blunt command. Used by superiors to subordinates, in emergencies, cheering, signs, and quoting instructions.
- Formation
Group 1: change the last う-row sound to the え-row: 書く→書け, 行く→行け, 急ぐ→急げ, 待つ→待て, 飲む→飲めGroup 2: drop る and add ろ: 食べる→食べろ, 見る→見ろ, 起きる→起きろGroup 3: する→しろ, 来る→来い (こい)Irregular: くれる→くれ (貸してくれ = lend it to me)Negative command (prohibitive): dictionary form + な (lesson 8)
早く起きろ！
はやく おきろ！
Get up quickly!
頑張れ！
がんばれ！
Go for it!
〜なさい "do (polite command)"
nasai · JLPT N4
- Meaning
- Command used by parents to children, teachers to students, and in exam/textbook instructions.
- Formation
V-ます stem + なさい: 食べる → 食べなさい, 書く → 書きなさい, 起きる → 起きなさいGroup 3: する → しなさい, 来る → 来なさい (きなさい)Casual shortening: ます-stem + な: 食べな, 行きな (not the prohibitive 食べるな)No negative form: use 〜ないで / 〜てはいけません / 〜るなFixed expressions: お帰りなさい, お休みなさい, ごめんなさい
早く寝なさい。
はやく ねなさい。
Go to bed early.
次の質問に答えなさい。
つぎの しつもんに こたえなさい。
Answer the following questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Imperative form (命令形) "Do!" and 〜なさい "do (polite command)"?
A softer command used by parents and teachers and in exam instructions. Still not for superiors.
When do you use 〜なさい "do (polite command)" instead of Imperative form (命令形) "Do!"?
The blunt command (食べろ). なさい is gentler and is the form used by mothers and teachers, but both are downward commands.