JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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do... (command)
Category: Commands & Obligations
The grammar pattern ～なさい is used to issue a firm command, often from a person of higher authority to someone of lower authority. It is more direct and authoritative than ～てください. This pattern is commonly used by parents to their children or teachers to their students. It is essential to use this pattern correctly to convey the intended level of authority and respect.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu-stem of a verb | Verb stem + なさい | 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べなさい |
| Masu-stem of a verb in the negative | Verb stem + ないなさい | 食べない (tabenai) becomes 食べないなさい |
| Masu-stem of a verb in the potential | Verb stem + うなさい | 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べうなさい |
母が子供に「宿題を早く食べなさい」と言いました。
Okaasan ga kodomo ni "syutudai o hayaku tabenasai" to ittemashita.
The mother told the child to eat their homework quickly.
お母さん (okaasan) = mother, 子供 (kodomo) = child, 宿題 (syutudai) = homework, 早く (hayaku) = quickly
先生が「この漢字を覚えなさい」と言った。
Sensei ga "kono kanji o oboenasai" to itta.
The teacher told the student to memorize this kanji.
先生 (sensei) = teacher, この (kono) = this, 漢字 (kanji) = kanji,覚え (oboeru) = to memorize
「危ないですから、ここへ来ないで、あっちへ行きなさい。」
"Ayau ni desu kara, koko e konainde, atchi e ikinasai."
It's dangerous, so don't come here, go over there instead.
危ない (ayau ni) = it's dangerous, ここへ (koko e) = here, 来ないで (konainde) = don't come, あっちへ (atchi e) = over there, 行き (iku) = to go
The ～なさい pattern is used to issue a firm command, often from a person of higher authority to someone of lower authority. It is more direct and authoritative than ～てください. This pattern is commonly used by parents to their children or teachers to their students. Be careful not to use this pattern with superiors, as it may be seen as impolite.
Using ～なさい with superiors may be seen as impolite or disrespectful.
The dictionary form of a verb is not used to form ～なさい.
～なさい is more direct and authoritative than ～てください.
When taking the JLPT N4 exam, be careful to use the ～なさい pattern correctly to issue a firm command. Pay attention to the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener.
母が子供に「宿題を早く______。」と言いました。
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