Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 6: 13/13

な (Prohibitive)Do not, Don't (Prohibitive)

Structure

Verb + な

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Particle

  • Word Type

    Sentence Ending Particle

  • Register

    Standard

About な

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.

Examples

--:--

    行(い)くな。

    Don't go.

    ここでサッカーをするな。

    Don't play soccer here.

    泣(な)くな。

    Don't cry.

    一人(ひとり)でするな。

    Don't do it alone.

    「これは不味(まず)い！」って言(い)うな。

    Don't say, 'This tastes bad!'

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      な – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

      • znic1998

        znic1998

        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

        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

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

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