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JLPT N4Expressions

なさい— Do (firm command / instruction)

A firm command or instruction attached to the masu-stem. Less harsh than the plain imperative (食べろ) but more authoritative than ください. Typically used by parents and teachers.

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Pro lessonUNIT 41 · EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

[Verb masu-stem] + なさい

Examples · 例文

  • 野菜も食べなさい。

    Yasai mo tabenasai.

    Eat your vegetables too.

    食べ (masu-stem) + なさい = firm instruction

  • 早く起きなさい！学校に遅れるよ。

    Hayaku okinasai! Gakkou ni okureru yo.

    Get up quickly! You'll be late for school.

    起き + なさい = authoritative 'wake up' command

  • 問題をよく読みなさい。

    Mondai wo yoku yominasai.

    Read the problem carefully.

    読み (read, masu-stem) + なさい

Usage notes · 注意

  • Key Concept: なさい is a softened command form.
  • Detail: Typically used by parents to children, teachers to students, elders to juniors.
  • The Negative: do not use なさい to say 'don't'.
  • Note: Use ないでください or ないこと instead.
  • Detail: なさる is the honorific form of する; なさい derives from なさる.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones なさい is tested against.

vsてください

てください is a polite request between equals; なさい is a firm downward command from a superior (parent/teacher).

vs命令形 (食べろ / 書け)

The plain imperative is rough and blunt; なさい is authoritative but sounds more 'proper' and controlled.

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