Japanese Grammar: Verb + な (Prohibitive Form)

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Japanese Grammar: Verb + な (Prohibitive Form)
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

The prohibitive form ‘な’ is used to command someone NOT to do something. It is a very strong and direct way of saying ‘Don’t…’.

🎯 Primary Function

To issue a strong prohibition or command to stop an action.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb (Dictionary Form) + な
Not applicable for the prohibitive form.
Not applicable for the prohibitive form.
The form itself is inherently negative/prohibitive.

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Used in written warnings or official signs, but verbally it is considered too aggressive for professional settings.

😊 Informal Situations

Used among close male friends or from a superior to a subordinate to show authority or urgency.

✍️ Written Language

Frequently seen on warning signs, traffic notices, and instructional manuals for safety.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Common in high-stress situations, sports coaching, or casual/rough masculine speech.

💡 Common Applications

Public Signs and Notices
Used on signs to indicate forbidden actions in public spaces.
Example: 「入るな」(Do not enter)
Emergency Situations
Used by police or in life-threatening situations where immediate compliance is needed.
Example: 「動くな！」(Don’t move!)
Strict Instructions
Used by coaches, teachers, or parents when giving firm orders to subordinates.
Example: 「遅れるな」(Don’t be late)
📊
Frequency
Common in specific contexts (signs, media, anime, or strong commands), but rare in polite daily conversation.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N4
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Related Kanji

JLPT N4 Kanji List

Related Vocabulary

JLPT N4 Vocabulary List
Example Sentences
Example #1
ここに入るな！
Furigana: ここにはい（る）な！
Romaji: Koko ni hairu na!
English: Don’t enter here!
Example #2
約束を忘れるな。
Furigana: やくそく（を）わす（れる）な。
Romaji: Yakusoku o wasureru na.
English: Don’t forget your promise.
Example #3
嘘をつくな。
Furigana: うそ（を）（つ）くな。
Romaji: Uso o tsuku na.
English: Don’t tell lies.
Example #4
廊下を走るな！
Furigana: ろうか（を）はし（る）な！
Romaji: Rouka o hashiru na!
English: Don’t run in the hallway!
Example #5
展示物に触るな。
Furigana: てんじぶつ（に）さわ（る）な。
Romaji: Tenjibutsu ni sawaru na.
English: Don’t touch the exhibits.
Example #6
最後まで諦めるな。
Furigana: さいご（まで）あきら（める）な。
Romaji: Saigo made akirameru na.
English: Don’t give up until the end.
Example #7
図書館で騒ぐな。
Furigana: としょかん（で）さわ（ぐ）な。
Romaji: Toshokan de sawagu na.
English: Don’t make a noise in the library.
Example #8
そんなことで泣くな。
Furigana: そんな（ことで）な（く）な。
Romaji: Sonna koto de naku na.
English: Don’t cry over such a thing.
Example #9
私の日記を見るな！
Furigana: わたし（の）にっき（を）み（る）な！
Romaji: Watashi no nikki o miru na!
English: Don’t look at my diary!
Example #10
酒を飲んで運転するな。
Furigana: さけ（を）の（んで）うんてん（する）な。
Romaji: Sake o nonde unten suru na.
English: Don’t drive after drinking alcohol.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Contrast with affirmative commands.
‘Taberu na’ means ‘Don’t eat’, while ‘Tabenasai’ means ‘Eat!’. They are opposites.
Example: 「食べるな」(Taberu na) vs 「食べなさい」(Tabenasai)
Used for safety warnings.
The brevity of the form makes it perfect for quick warnings.
Example: 「危ない！見るな！」(Dangerous! Don’t look!)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using ‘Stem + な’ to mean ‘Don’t’.
✅ 飲むな (Nomu na)
Adding ‘na’ to the dictionary form makes it ‘Don’t drink’. Adding ‘na’ to the stem (Nomi-na) is a casual command to ‘Drink!’.
❌ Using ‘な’ with a boss or stranger.
✅ 入らないでください (Hairanaide kudasai)
The ‘na’ prohibitive form is too rude for strangers or superiors. Use ‘～ないでください’ instead.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Very low/Aggressive. It is a ‘command’ form.
Social Situations: Commonly used by male figures in anime or manga to sound ‘tough’. In real life, it is mostly reserved for emergencies or strict discipline.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese usage. In some dialects, like Kansai-ben, prohibitions may use different markers like ‘～んといて’.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～な (Prohibitive) vs ～ないで (Soft Prohibition)
‘～な’ is a command; ‘～ないで’ is a request or gentle instruction.
When to use: Use ‘～な’ for signs/emergencies; use ‘～ないで’ for friends/daily life.
～な (Prohibitive) vs ～な (Particle)
The prohibitive ‘na’ follows a dictionary verb. The particle ‘na’ (for agreement) usually follows a sentence or adjective.
When to use: Look at the word preceding ‘na’. A dictionary verb indicates a command.

📝 Conjugation Notes

The construction is simple: take the plain dictionary form of any verb (Group 1, 2, or 3) and simply add ‘な’ to the end. No other changes are required.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The ‘na’ is usually pronounced with a falling intonation to emphasize the command and finality.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of ‘na’ as a stop sign. It’s short, sharp, and cuts the action off immediately. Also, distinguish it from the ‘na’ in na-adjectives by looking for the dictionary verb right before it.

Other Grammar

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