なおす (JLPT N4)

Structure

Verb［ます］+ なおす

Details

About なおす

直(なお)す is a verb that means 'to fix', or 'to redo'. It is used when saying that something needs to be done a second time (usually due to the result/quality being insufficient the first time). To use 直(なお)す, it will need to be attached to the ます stem form of any verb.

With する verbs, the conjugation rules are slightly different. する will become し, and then 直(なお)す will be connected in the regular fashion. In some situations, する may be replaced with やる (a very casual equivalent of する). As やる is a う-Verb, it will be conjugated as やり直(なお)す.

Caution

直(なお)す (to fix) should not be confused with 治(なお)す (to heal/mend). The kanji 直(ちょく) literally means 'straight', or 'direct', and implies that one should 'straighten out' something.

Examples

--:--

この文章(ぶんしょう)を書(か)き直(なお)した方(ほう)がいいよ。

You should rewrite this sentence.

「お前(まえ)」って言(い)うな。言(い)い直(なお)してください。

Don't say 'おまえ'. Please rephrase what you said!

お客(きゃく)さんに電話(でんわ)を掛(か)け直(なお)してください（掛(か)ける）

Please call the client again.

彼女(かのじょ)のことを見(み)直(なお)しました。

I renewed my view of her.

はい！急(いそ)いでやり直(なお)します。

Yes, sir! I will quickly redo it.

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なおす – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (17 in total)

MikkaT
Hi, I don’t understand this example. I convinced myself that it was probably past form (ta) because of the 方がいい/ it would be better. But why is the non past form also correct. What is the difference?
Arwin1
I was wondering the same thing.
bilowik
They may have made changes to the ほうがいい grammar point recently, now at the end of it it now mentions that the dictionary form can be used, but is understood as more of a general opinion rather than direct advice to the listener.

I think in this case though, it sounds much more like direct advice than a general opinion, but maybe there’s more nuance to it than just that.