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to do (honorific)
Definition
The grammar pattern 'なさる (nasaru)' is used to express the actions of a person of higher status in a respectful manner. It is the polite version of the verb 'suru' and is often used to describe actions that are considered formal or dignified. For example, a company president might say 'ご来客をなさいます' (I will receive guests) to express their willingness to host a meeting. This pattern is particularly useful when interacting with people of higher authority or when expressing respect for someone's position or role.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nasaru form | Verb stem + なさる | 見る (miru) + なさる = 見なさる |
| Nasaimasu form | Verb stem + なさる + ます | 見る (miru) + なさる + ます = 見なさります |
| Nasaru form with te-form | Verb stem + て + なさる | 見る (miru) + て + なさる = 見てなさる |
Examples
週末は何をなさりましたか。
Shūmatsu wa nan o nasarimashita ka.
What did you do over the weekend?
週末 (shūmatsu) = weekend, なさりましたか (nasarimashita ka) = did you do
テニスをなさいますか。
Tenisu o nasaimasu ka.
Will you play tennis?
テニスを (tenisu o) = play tennis, なさいますか (nasaimasu ka) = will you do
ご心配なさらないでください。
Goshinpai nasaranai de kudasai.
Please don't worry about it.
ご心配 (goshinpai) = worry, なさらないでください (nasaranai de kudasai) = don't worry
来週は何をなさりますか。
Raishū wa nan o nasarimasu ka.
What will you do next week?
来週 (raishū) = next week, なさりますか (nasarimasu ka) = will you do
Context
The 'なさる (nasaru)' pattern is used to express respect and formality when describing actions of people of higher status. It is often used in formal situations, such as business meetings or when interacting with people of higher authority. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with 'する (suru)' or 'する (suru)' with polite endings.
Watch out
When describing one's own actions, use 'する (suru)' or 'する (suru)' with polite endings instead of 'なさる (nasaru)'
When using 'なさる (nasaru)', use the correct polite ending '-nasaru' instead of '-nasarimasu'
While both patterns are used to express respect, 'いらっしゃる (irassharu)' is used for actions of people of higher status, whereas 'なさる (nasaru)' is used for actions of people of lower status
Strategy
When using 'なさる (nasaru)' in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct polite ending and verb stem. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with other polite forms or honorifics.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows なさる (nasaru) used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
週末は何をなさいましたか。
Pattern used: なさい
Honorific form 'nasaimasu' (past tense) for the listener's actions.
テニスをなさいますか。
Pattern used: なさい
Honorific way to ask if someone of higher status plays tennis.
ご心配なさわないでください。
Pattern used: なさわ
'Nasaru' in negative polite request form.
Interactive
週末は何を______ましたか。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.