Search pages and navigate
Please don't do...
Definition
The grammar pattern 〜ないでください is used to make a polite negative request, asking someone not to do something. It is formed by attaching でください to the nai-form of a verb. This pattern is often used in situations where you want to be polite and avoid direct refusal. For example, you can use this pattern to ask someone not to make a loud noise or not to take a photo in a certain place.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nai-form of a verb | Verb + ない + でください | 食べないでください (Please don't eat) |
| Nai-form of a verb with a negative prefix | Verb + ない + でください | 買わないでください (Please don't buy) |
| Nai-form of a verb with a polite suffix | Verb + ないでください | 行かないでください (Please don't go) |
Examples
図書館ですから、大きい声で______。
Tobu ryo kō desu kara, ōkii koe de __________.
Since it's a library, please don't make a loud noise.
図書館ですから (Since it's a library), 大きい声で (making a loud noise), ____ (don't), で (please)
ここで写真を______。
Koko de shashin o __________.
Don't take a photo here.
ここで (here), 写真を (a photo), ____ (don't), で (please)
先生：「テスト中は隣の人と______。」
Sensei: "Tesuto-chū wa rinbō no hito to __________."
Teacher: "Don't talk to your neighbor during the test."
先生 (teacher), テスト中は (during the test), 隣の人と (your neighbor), ____ (don't), で (please)
Context
The grammar pattern 〜ないでください is used to make a polite negative request. It is often used in situations where you want to be polite and avoid direct refusal. This pattern is similar to 〜てはいけない, but 〜ないでください is used to ask someone not to do something, while 〜てはいけない is used to prohibit something.
Watch out
The nai-form of a verb is used to form the negative request, while the te-form is used to form the conditional tense.
〜てはいけない is used to prohibit something, while 〜ないでください is used to ask someone not to do something.
Strategy
When answering a question that requires the use of 〜ないでください, make sure to use the nai-form of a verb and attach でください to it. Also, be careful not to confuse it with 〜てはいけない.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜ないでください used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
図書館ですから、大きい声で話さないでください。
Pattern used: 話さないでください
In a library, you politely ask someone not to speak loudly. The nai-form of 話す is 話さない, and you add でください.
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Pattern used: 撮らないでください
The nai-form of 撮る is 撮らない. Adding でください makes a polite negative request. 撮らなくて is the te-form of ない, which is a different construction.
先生：「テスト中は隣の人と話さないでください。」
Pattern used: 話さないでください
While 〜てはいけません also works as a prohibition, 〜ないでください is the polite request form a teacher would use. 話しません is a statement about oneself, not a request.
Interactive
図書館ですから、大きい声で______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.