〜こと (sentence-final instruction) "must / be sure to"
koto (shiji)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
A rule or instruction in written notices, school rules, and exam directions.
Ending a sentence with the dictionary form + こと turns it into a rule or instruction: 教室では日本語で話すこと = "Speak Japanese in the classroom". The negative is ない + こと: 廊下を走らないこと = "Do not run in the corridors". It is a written style, found on notices, school rules, exam papers and to-do lists. It is not used when speaking to someone; in speech you would say 〜てください or 〜なさい.
Classroom and dormitory rules, notices in offices, instructions on exam papers (漢字で書くこと), and memos to yourself. Neutral, impersonal, written. Because it is impersonal, it feels firm but not rude.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V-dictionary + こと: 提出すること (Submit it)V-ない + こと: 遅れないこと (Do not be late)Sentence-final, in writing onlySpoken equivalents: 〜てください, 〜なさい, 〜ないでください
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Where | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| V-dict + こと | notices, rules, exams | impersonal, firm | 金曜日までに出すこと |
| V-ない + こと | notices, rules | impersonal prohibition | 廊下を走らないこと |
| 〜てください | speech | polite request | 金曜日までに出してください |
| 〜なさい | speech (parent, teacher) | command | 金曜日までに出しなさい |
| V-ます + ように | written wish / prayer | hope | 合格しますように |
Natural examples
教室では日本語で話すこと。
きょうしつでは にほんごで はなすこと。
Speak Japanese in the classroom.
A classroom rule: dictionary form + こと.
レポートは金曜日までに出すこと。
レポートは きんようびまでに だすこと。
Submit the report by Friday.
A deadline instruction on a notice.
廊下を走らないこと。
ろうかを はしらないこと。
Do not run in the corridors.
A prohibition: ない + こと.
（試験の注意）答えはすべて鉛筆で書くこと。
（しけんの ちゅうい）こたえは すべて えんぴつで かくこと。
(Exam instructions) Write all answers in pencil.
Typical exam-paper wording.
（寮の規則）夜十一時以後は大きな音を出さないこと。
（りょうの きそく）よる じゅういちじ いごは おおきな おとを ださないこと。
(Dormitory rules) Do not make loud noises after 11 p.m.
ない + こと for a rule against something.
Similar grammar and the difference
A spoken command from a parent or teacher. こと is the written, impersonal equivalent. Compare side by side
Also sentence-final and written, but ように expresses a hope (合格しますように), not a rule. Compare side by side
こと in the middle of a sentence just makes a noun (話すことが好きだ). Only sentence-final こと is an instruction. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- （口頭で）明日八時に来ること。
- ✓
- 明日八時に来てください。
- Why
- こと is for written notices; said aloud to someone it sounds like reading out a rule book.
- ✗
- 廊下を走らないでこと。
- ✓
- 廊下を走らないこと。
- Why
- The negative is the plain ない-form + こと, without で.
- ✗
- レポートは金曜日までに出しますこと。
- ✓
- レポートは金曜日までに出すこと。
- Why
- こと attaches to the dictionary form, never the ます-form.
Notices often list several rules each ending in こと, sometimes numbered. The exam paper you sit for the JLPT itself uses this style in its instructions. こと as an instruction has no tense; it is always about what should be done from now.
JLPT N4 tips
On the exam
- A sentence in brackets like （学校の規則）or （注意）before the blank tells you the style is a written rule, so a sentence-final こと is the likely answer.
- Options may give ことです or ことだ; the bare こと is the notice form. Also check that the verb before こと is in the dictionary or ない-form.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜こと (sentence-final instruction) "must / be sure to" mean?
A rule or instruction in written notices, school rules, and exam directions. Ending a sentence with the dictionary form + こと turns it into a rule or instruction: 教室では日本語で話すこと = "Speak Japanese in the classroom". The negative is ない + こと: 廊下を走らないこと = "Do not run in the corridors". It is a written style, found on notices, school rules, exam papers and to-do lists. It is not used when speaking to someone; in speech you would say 〜てください or 〜なさい.
How do you form 〜こと (sentence-final instruction) "must / be sure to"?
V-dictionary + こと: 提出すること (Submit it) / V-ない + こと: 遅れないこと (Do not be late) / Sentence-final, in writing only / Spoken equivalents: 〜てください, 〜なさい, 〜ないでください. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜こと (sentence-final instruction) "must / be sure to" used?
Classroom and dormitory rules, notices in offices, instructions on exam papers (漢字で書くこと), and memos to yourself. Neutral, impersonal, written. Because it is impersonal, it feels firm but not rude.
What is the difference between 〜こと (sentence-final instruction) "must / be sure to" and 〜なさい?
A spoken command from a parent or teacher. こと is the written, impersonal equivalent.
What is the difference between 〜こと (sentence-final instruction) "must / be sure to" and 〜ように (wish)?
Also sentence-final and written, but ように expresses a hope (合格しますように), not a rule.
What is a common mistake with 〜こと (sentence-final instruction) "must / be sure to"?
Wrong: （口頭で）明日八時に来ること。 Right: 明日八時に来てください。 こと is for written notices; said aloud to someone it sounds like reading out a rule book.
Quick check
（教室の規則）授業中は携帯電話の電源を（ ）こと。