JLPT N4 grammar comparison
Imperative form (命令形) "Do!" vs Prohibitive form (〜な) "Don't!"
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the Imperative form (命令形) "Do!" lesson
Prohibitive form (〜な) "Don't!": The negative command: 入るな (Don't enter). Same rough level.
From the Prohibitive form (〜な) "Don't!" lesson
Imperative form (命令形) "Do!": The affirmative rough command (入れ = Enter!). 〜な is its negative twin.
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!
Prohibitive form (〜な) "Don't!"
kinshi-kei (-na) · JLPT N4
- Meaning
- Blunt prohibition.
- Formation
Dictionary form + な: 行く→行くな, 食べる→食べるな, する→するな, 来る→来るなWorks the same for all three groups (no conjugation change)Polite prohibition: 〜ないでくださいDo not confuse with ます-stem + な (食べな = casual "eat", from 食べなさい)
ここに入るな。
ここに はいるな。
Don't enter here.
遅刻するなと言われました。
ちこくするなと いわれました。
I was told not to be late.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Imperative form (命令形) "Do!" and Prohibitive form (〜な) "Don't!"?
The negative command: 入るな (Don't enter). Same rough level.
When do you use Prohibitive form (〜な) "Don't!" instead of Imperative form (命令形) "Do!"?
The affirmative rough command (入れ = Enter!). 〜な is its negative twin.