Meaning
Expresses a direct and strong prohibition.
Formation
- Dictionary form + な: 入る → 入るな
- A blunt prohibition in speech, fiction and signs; for a polite request use ないでください
When to use it
- Core use
- Expresses a direct and strong prohibition
Examples
13 sentences-
ここに入るな
Do not enter here!
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その水を飲むな
Do not drink that water!
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ここは危ないから、入るな
It is dangerous here. Do not enter!
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道で遊ぶな
Don't play in the street!
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冷蔵庫のケーキを食べるな
Don't eat the cake in the fridge!
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古い雑誌を捨てるな
Don't you dare throw away the old magazines.
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このドアを開けるな
Don't open this door!
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危ないから窓から手を出すな
It is dangerous, don't put your hand out of the window!
5 more examples
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宿題を忘れるな
Don't forget your homework!
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こっちへ来るな
Don't come over here!
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パスワードを人に教えるな
Do not tell other people your password!
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大事な手紙を捨てるな
Do not throw away important letters!
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教室でご飯を食べるな
Do not eat in the classroom!
Important notes
- The dictionary form + な is a blunt prohibition used in rough speech, fiction and signs: 触るな. It is never polite.
Common mistakes
- Do not confuse it with the ます stem + な, a casual command: 行くな (don't go) vs 行きな (go). For a polite request use ないでください.
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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