Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 6: 13/13

な (Prohibitive)

Do not, Don't (Prohibitive)

Structure

Verb +

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Particle

  • Word Type

    Sentence Ending Particle

  • Register

    Standard

  • 品詞

    助詞

  • 単語の種類

    終助詞

  • 使用域

    一般

About な

is classified as a sentence ending particle in Japanese. When attached to the base (dictionary) form of a verb, it has the nuance of strongly demanding that someone 'not' do something.
  • 危険(きけん)(さわ)!
    Danger! Don't touch!
  • (いえ)(なか)(はし)!」(かあ)さん()
    My mother said, “Don't run in the house!”

Examples

  • ()

    Don't go.

  • ここサッカーする

    Don't play soccer here.

  • ()

    Don't cry.

  • 一人(ひとり)する

    Don't do it alone.

  • これ不味(まず)!」って()

    Don't say, 'This tastes bad!'

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  • Offline

    • みんなの日本語 II

      Page 54 [CH 33]

    • [DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

      Page 46 & 266

    • Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide

      Page 183

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な – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

  • znic1998

    znic1998

    About 3 years ago

    Hey! I’m back with more questions. Based on the example sentence it seems that this can only be used with verbs in their dictionary form. I am correct with making that assumption. I’m assuming there will grammar later to cover more imperatives but I just want to be sure.

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    About 3 years ago

    That’s correct. The negative imperative is (plain verb)-な.
    The positive imperative is either (う-verb, え-ending) or (る-verb stem + ろ).

    まつな! Don’t wait!
    まて! Wait!

    たべるな! Don’t eat!
    たべろ! Eat!

    (I can’t seem to find the Bunpro page for positive imperative though.)

  • znic1998

    znic1998

    About 3 years ago

    Thanks, @FredKore I will ever use it since apparently it is quite rude, but good to know

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