Advice, obligation and request
～なさい
(please) do ~; (gentle command)
AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)
How to form it
- Verb (ます-stem) + なさい
Register: Used by parents, teachers and in written instructions
Explanation
Gives an instruction or a gentle command, from a person of higher standing to a lower one.
It is a command that is not rough. It is common in textbooks and exam instructions (答えなさい). It is not used to superiors.
Examples
早く起きなさい。
はやくおきなさい。
Get up quickly.
手を洗ってから、食べなさい。
てをあらってから、たべなさい。
Wash your hands, and then eat.
静かにしなさい。
しずかにしなさい。
Be quiet.
よく考えて答えなさい。
よくかんがえてこたえなさい。
Think carefully and answer.
Compare with
- ～てはいけない: てはいけない is a prohibition; なさい is a positive instruction.
Common mistakes
- Using it to superiors or customers; it is rude.