Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 2
〜ないでください~naide kudasai
polite request not to act
Attach 「〜ないでください」 to a verb’s ない form to politely ask someone not to do that action.
How it works
The 「ない形」 says that an action is not done. First identify the verb group, then follow its rules.
For V1, remove 「ます」, change the last kana from the い row to the あ row, and add 「ない」.
In V1, 「い」 changes to 「わ」: 買います→買わない. It does not change to 「あ」.
The ない form of 「あります」 is 「ない」. This is an exception: do not apply the general V1 rule to form 「あらない」.
For V2, simply replace 「ます」 with 「ない」. Keep the kana before it; do not change it to the あ row.
For V3, 「します」 becomes 「しない」. The V1 rule of changing the い row to the あ row does not apply.
For V3, 「来ます」 becomes 「来ない」, read 「こない」. The kanji stays the same, but its reading changes.
When you see a no-photography sign, you can politely ask someone not to take photos. What does the staff member in the picture say?
First use the ない form, then add 「でください」. This asks someone not to do something.
At the library, 「大声で話さないでください」 asks only that you not speak loudly. Notice exactly what the request covers.
The 「入ります」 used in the example is V1: 入らない. Even though it ends in 「ります」, you cannot simply replace 「ます」.
Example sentences
- 写真shashinをo撮らないtoranaiでdeください。kudasai
Please don't take photos.
- 中nakaにni入らないhairanai
In a conversation
- Aすみません、ここでたばこを吸わないでください。
A: Excuse me, please don't smoke here.
- Bすみません。知りませんでした。
B: Sorry, I didn't know.
- A
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Please don't take photos.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
この山に ください。
Please don't climb this mountain.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ないでくださいpolite request not to act
