All JLPT grammar
N4

Verb なさい

Give an order or instruction, from someone in authority or in written directions; 'do ~'.

At a glance

Verb + なさい gives an order or instruction, like "Do ~." It is used by someone in charge, such as a parent or teacher, and in written instructions like test questions.

[Verb ます-stem] + なさい
食べます → 食べ + なさい → 食べなさい

早はやく寝ねなさい。 Go to bed early.


How to form it

Take the ます form, drop ます, and add なさい:

Verb group Dictionary form ます form なさい form
う-verb 書かく 書かきます 書かきなさい
う-verb 読よむ 読よみます 読よみなさい
る-verb 食たべる 食たべます 食たべなさい
する する します しなさい
来る 来くる 来きます 来きなさい

Examples

  • 早はやく起おきなさい。

    Wake up early.

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The rest of the lesson

When to use it, common mistakes, nuances and a quick check, with spaced repetition to make it stick.

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