なさい Japanese Grammar Lesson
Grammar Type: Auxiliary Verb
Essential Meaning: Do X (imperative form used by superiors to give commands to inferiors)
Construction:
- Verb ます-Form + なさい
- E.g. 話しなさい [Speak.]
- E.g. 食べなさい [Eat.]
Notes:
- なさい is the imperative form of the polite honorific verb なさる [To do]. It is used by superiors to give commands to inferiors (e.g. a teacher to a student).
- ください is the opposite of なさい. It is used by inferiors to make requests of superiors (e.g. a student to a teacher).
- There is also an impolite command form that includes such strong commands as 読め! [Read!] or 食べろ! [Eat!] One example is the famous Bruce Lee quote:「 考えるな。感じろ!」[Don’t think. Feel!] These informal command forms are very strong and aggressive and should generally be avoided.
Example Sentences:
もっとたくさん食べなさい。[Eat more.]
遊ばないで勉強しなさい。[Don’t play. Study.]
早くうちに帰って来なさいよ。[Come home early.]
もうおそいから歯を磨いて寝なさい。[It’s already late, so brush your teeth and go to bed.]
WILD Examples:
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