I2 - Lesson 3
In this lesson, we'll learn how to form and use imperative and prohibitive form. We will also learn how and when to use this two forms.
How to make imperative form
Group 1 verb
You can change a group 1 verb into imperative form by changing the u to e.
E.g.
書く -> 書け
急ぐ -> 急げ
話す -> 話せ
待つ -> 待て
死ぬ -> 死ね
休む -> 休め
使う -> 使え
Group 2 verb
You can change a verb into imperative form by changing the ru to ro.
E.g.
食べる -> 食べろ
止める -> 止めろ
気をつける -> 気をつけろ
起きる -> 起きろ
Group 3 verb
Group 3 is little special. You'll have to remember it by heart.
E.g.
する -> しろ
勉強する -> 勉強しろ
来る -> 来い(こい)
持って来る -> 持って来い
How to make prohibitive form
Group 1,2 and 3 verbs
You can change a group 1,2 and 3 verbs into prohibitive form by adding na to the verb's dictionary form.
E.g.
書く -> 書くな
急ぐ -> 急ぐな
話す -> 話すな
待つ -> 待つな
食べる -> 食べるな
止める -> 止めるな
起きる -> 起きるな
する -> するな
来る -> 来るな
- This form is almost exclusively used by men.
1. How to use imperative and prohibitive form.
Imperative and prohibitive forms are strong coercive expressions. It is not used often in general conversations. Request expressions てください are used instead.
Using it at the end of a sentence.
In a family, a male in a higher hierarchy can use it to give orders or to scold another member of a lower hierarchy.
Example:
Get up now!
早く起きろ！
Don't skip school.
学校を休むな。
Among close male friends.
This expression is usually soften by adding the よ particle at the end.
Example:
We're going to be late! Hurry!
遅れるんだ,急げよ！
That belongs to my brother, don't touch it.
それは兄の物だ、触るなよ。
For cheering in sports events.
Example:
Run!
走れ！
Don't lose!
負けるな！
Go!
行け！
In emergency.
Example:
Stop the machine!
機械を止めろ！
Do not press that red button!
その赤いボタンを押すな！
Please call the doctor!
医師を呼べ！
Signages (E.g. Traffic signs)
Example:
Stop.
止まれ。
Do not enter.
入りな
- You can add a よ at the end to make it softer when conversing with close friends.
2. Request expression
The plain style of ください is くれ. You can use verb in its て form followed by くれ.
Examples:
Please wait a while.
ちょっと待ってくれ。
I'm carrying a lot of things, please help!
多くの物を持っているんだから、手伝ってくれ！
It's fine, please don't worry.
大丈夫だから、心配しないでくれ。
- You'd usually use this form with friends or with someone of a lower rank than you (e.g. subordinates, kids)
- くれ is almost exclusive to men as well. Women would stop at て.
3. Using Verbs in ます form + なさい.
(o)V(ます) + なさい is a kind of imperative expression that used when the speaker and the listener have a special relationship (e.g. parent and child, teacher and student). Because kure is exclusively used by men, women use this form to express commands.
Examples:
Please wait a while.
ちょっと待ってくれ。
I'm carrying a lot of things, please help!
多くの物を持っているんだから、手伝ってくれ！
It's fine, please don't worry.
大丈夫だから、心配するのやめなさい。
- You cannot pair verb in a negative form with なさい.
- However, you can add やめなさい (stop) to have the same meaning.