なさいCommand to do

When casual, can be shortened to just な

Structure

Verb［stem］+ なさい

Details

About なさい

なさい is the imperative form of なさる, an honorific language verb which specifically highlights and respects the actions of another person (never the speaker).

Despite being respectful, the fact that this is a 'command' means that it would never be used toward a superior. Due to this, なさい is most frequently used toward peers, or people of lower status, like children.

To use なさい, simply connect it to the ます stem of any verb.

なさい may be shortened further to な, which becomes an even more casual form that is used most frequently toward peers.

Caution

Be careful not to get confused between な (the particle), and な (the shortened form of なさい). These can seem very similar, but な (meaning don't) will always be used with the dictionary form of a verb, while な (meaning please do) will always be used with the ます stem of a verb.

Antonyms

Examples

--:--

勉強(べんきょう)しなさい。

Study!

早(はや)く帰(かえ)りなさい。

Hurry up and go home!

野菜(やさい)を食(た)べなさい。

Eat your vegetables!

これをパパに渡(わた)しなさい。

Hand this to your dad.

注意(ちゅうい)しなさい。

Be careful.

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Online
- Difference between なさい and てください / でください
  JStackExchange
- Using 「～なさい」 to make firm but polite requests
  Tae Kim

Offline
- [DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
  Page 284
- Genki II 1st Edition
  Page 204
- Genki II 2nd Edition
  Page 236
- Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
  Page 180
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なさい – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (8 in total)

Jake
command to do
Structure
- Verb[stem] + なさい
View on Bunpro
Pep95
If I’m correct, the difference between these two:
- Verb + な
- Verb[stem] + な
Is that respectively, they mean DO something, and DON’T do something?

So:
- いくな = Don’t go!
- いきな = Go!
Listening exams must be exhausting…

Also, does this mean that “ごめんなさい” (御免なさい) means “Excuse me”, but in a commanding way? You’re commanding someone to excuse you?
nanda
There is this explanation on this grammar point: Can be shortened to just な to make more casual.

I don’t understand. I’m sorry if my comprehension is slow and/or my limited English. I’ve read the Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar book on page 284 on this related grammar point. I can understand if this explanation is for the negative statement, ex. Don’t touch 触るな。

Question: How can I use this “na” for positive statement?
mrnoone
@Pep95
@nanda

You are right @Pep95, basically the first な is added to dictionary form of a verb, basically used to forbid something (in casual language).

The second one is a contraction of なさい、so it is な attached to the verb stem.

@nanda
You conjugated properly, the answer wasn’t in the database.
I am updating it right now/

Sorry for the inconvenience

Edit:
Done, only the first one was missing the alternative answer
mrnoone
That is right, this is respectful prefix ご + 免 + なさい being a polite imperative form of respectful word なさる.

But it lost all imperative meaning, it is a set expression.

Notice that お+ やすみ + なさい is very similar.
GregX999
For this sentence…
Pushindawood
Hey! A similar question popped up in the てあげる thread.

Basically, it won’t change the meaning, but emphasize that the action is a favor.

Cheers!
Donutmancer
This grammar point states: “なさい is the imperative form of なさる”, without further elaboration.
However, the grammar point on the imperative form looks completely different, suggesting that it would be either なされ, or なさろ.
Where does this difference come from?

A similar claim is made for ください in a different grammar point, so It cant be completely irregular either.
nekoyama
なさる and くださる belong to a group of slightly irregular verbs where the imperative and the masu stem end in -ai, together with いらっしゃる and おっしゃる and ござる.