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See the whole course›Intermediate 1›Joining Activities and Local Life

Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1

〜な~na

strongly tell someone not to

Add 「な」 to the dictionary form in 「〜るな」 to urgently stop someone or give a stern warning.

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Pattern
〜な
Romaji
~na
JLPT (approx.)
≈ N4
Course level
Intermediate 1
Theme
Joining Activities and Local Life

How it works

  1. Why is he stopping the other person? The prohibitive form means “don’t do it” and stops someone immediately in a dangerous situation.

    Why is he stopping the other person? The prohibitive form means “don’t do it” and stops someone immediately in a dangerous situation.

  2. For every verb group, add 「な」 to the dictionary form. The verb stays unchanged, so there are no new endings to memorize.

    For every verb group, add 「な」 to the dictionary form. The verb stays unchanged, so there are no new endings to memorize.

  3. 「な」 follows the dictionary form, not the ない form. To forbid movement, say 「動くな」, not 「動かないな」.

    「な」 follows the dictionary form, not the ない form. To forbid movement, say 「動くな」, not 「動かないな」.

  4. The prohibitive form sounds very strong. It is often used to stop someone urgently or give a stern warning, so use it carefully for everyday requests.

    The prohibitive form sounds very strong. It is often used to stop someone urgently or give a stern warning, so use it carefully for everyday requests.

  5. For an everyday request not to move, say 「動かないでください」. It is more polite than 「動くな」.

    For an everyday request not to move, say 「動かないでください」. It is more polite than 「動くな」.

  6. 「あきらめるな！」 is encouragement, not a scolding. It urges someone to keep trying: “Don’t give up!”

    「あきらめるな！」 is encouragement, not a scolding. It urges someone to keep trying: “Don’t give up!”

  7. 「無理をするな！」 shows concern: “Don’t push yourself too hard.” A strong tone can also express care.

    「無理をするな！」 shows concern: “Don’t push yourself too hard.” A strong tone can also express care.

Example sentences

  • あきらめるakirameruな！なna

    Don't give up!

  • 無理むりmuriをoするsuruな！なna

    Don't overdo it!

In a conversation

  • A
    危ないあぶないから、そこを動くうごくな！な

    A: It's dangerous, so don't move from there!

  • B
    わかりました。足元あしもとに気きをつけます。

    B: I understand. I'll watch my step.

  • A

Check yourself

  1. Which sentence is correct?

    1. 足元が滑りやすくて危ないから、急いで走るな！
    2. 足元が滑りやすくて危ないから、急いで走らるな！
    3. 足元が滑りやすくて危ないから、急いで走るない！
    4. 足元が滑りやすくて危ないから、急いで走りな！
    Show answer

    Answer: A 足元が滑りやすくて危ないから、急いで走るな！

  2. Which sentence is correct?

    1. まだ開催の準備が終わっていないから、中に入るな！
    2. まだ開催の準備が終わっていないから、中に入りるな！
    3. まだ開催の準備が終わっていないから、中に入るない！
    4. まだ開催の準備が終わっていないから、中に入りな！
    Show answer

    Answer: A まだ開催の準備が終わっていないから、中に入るな！

  3. Which sentence is correct?

    1. あきらめるな！
    2. あきらめらるな！
    3. あきらめるない！
    4. あきらめりな！
    Show answer

    Answer: A あきらめるな！

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜なstrongly tell someone not to

Keep practising

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よし、立入たちいり禁止きんしの場所ばしょにはわ絶対ぜったいに入るはいるなよ。

A: Good. Never enter no-entry zones.

Take the quiz
〜ようになりますbegin doing something habitually
〜なくなりますstop doing or feeling
〜たばかりですrecently completed action
〜ながら〜while doing another action
〜と言っていましたreport what someone said
命令形forceful direct command
〜ながらtwo actions happening together
Previous命令形
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