Meaning
A polite request asking someone not to do something. It follows the negative ない-form of a verb.
Formation
- ない form + でください — 吸わない → 吸わないでください
When to use it
- Core use
- Please do not do it
Examples
20 sentences-
ここでタバコを吸わないでください
Please do not smoke here.
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この部屋で大きい声で話さないでください
Please do not speak loudly in this room.
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まだ入らないでください
Please do not come in yet.
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名前を書き間違えないでください
Please do not write the name incorrectly.
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教科書を忘れないでください
Please do not forget your textbook.
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そのボタンを押さないでください
Please do not press that button.
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授業中に携帯電話を使わないでください
Please do not use your mobile phone during class.
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ここに荷物を置かないでください
Please do not leave luggage here.
12 more examples
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夜遅く電話しないでください
Please do not call late at night.
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私を心配しないでください
Please do not worry about me.
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あまり無理をしないでください
Please don't push yourself too hard.
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大丈夫ですから、泣かないでください
It's all right, so please don't cry.
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古い雑誌を捨てないでください
Please do not throw away the old magazines.
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台所の窓を開けないでください
Please do not open the kitchen window.
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旅行の写真を見ないでください
Please do not look at the travel photos.
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このことは、まだ誰にも言わないでください
Please don't tell anyone about this yet.
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電車の中では電話で話さないでください
Please don't talk on the phone on the train.
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パスワードを人に教えないでください
Please do not tell other people your password.
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大事な手紙を捨てないでください
Please do not throw away important letters.
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教室でご飯を食べないでください
Please do not eat in the classroom.
Important notes
- ないでください asks another person not to act.
Common mistakes
- Keep ない and add で: 食べないでください, not 食べなくてください.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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