N4Grammar

ないで (Casual Request)

(Please) do not (for me), Casual request

Structure

Verb［ない］+ で。

Explanation

The phrase ないでください offers a courteous way of asking someone, 'please refrain from doing (A)'. In more casual settings, such as among close friends, this level of politeness is often unnecessary. In these informal contexts, ないで can be used by itself to achieve the same goal. While it shares its form with the ないで that means 'without doing (A), (B)', this version doesn't connect two clauses; instead, it functions as a simple, direct negative command.

ないで is formed by joining the auxiliary verb ない with the case marking particle で. To apply this grammar, you simply add it to the negative stem of the verb you are requesting someone not to perform. In this usage, the sentence will almost always end with ないで.

友人(ゆうじん)に：「僕(ぼく)のケーキを食(た)べないで！」
To a friend: 'Hey, don't eat my cake!'
兄(あに)が弟(おとうと)に：「ここで遊(あそ)ばないで。危(あぶ)ないよ。」
Older brother to his younger brother: 'Don't play here. It's dangerous.'
彼女(かのじょ)が彼氏(かれし)に：「お願(ねが)いだから、もう嘘(うそ)をつかないで。」
Girlfriend to her boyfriend: 'I'm begging you, please don't lie anymore.'

Examples

この道(みち)は車(くるま)が多(おお)いので、渡(わた)らないで。

Since there are a lot of cars on this road, (please) don't cross.

その箱(はこ)はまだ開(あ)けないでね。

(Please) don't open that box yet.

お酒(さけ)を飲(の)んでから運転(うんてん)しないで。

(Please) don't drive after drinking alcohol.

「そんなに簡単(かんたん)に諦(あきら)めないでよ！」

'(Please) don't give up so easily!'

ここは図書館(としょかん)なので、電話(でんわ)で話(はな)したり、何(なに)かを食(た)べたりしないで。

Since this is a library, (please) don't do things like talk on the phone or eat.

先生(せんせい)が学生(がくせい)に言(い)う：「これは試験(しけん)に出(で)るから、忘(わす)れないでね。」

Teacher speaking to a student: 'This will be on the test, so (please) don't forget it.'

友達(ともだち)が言(い)う：「大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だから、もう謝(あやま)らないでね。」

A friend says: 'It's alright, so (please) don't apologize anymore.'

授業中(じゅぎょうちゅう)に寝(ね)たり、メールを送(おく)ったりしないで。

During class, (please) don't do things like sleep or send text messages.

明日(あした)は大事(だいじ)な会議(かいぎ)があるから、遅(おく)れないでね。

Since you have an important meeting tomorrow, (please) don't be late.

彼女(かのじょ)が彼氏(かれし)に言(い)う：「お願(ねが)いだから、私(わたし)を一人(ひとり)にしないで。」

Girlfriend speaking to her boyfriend: 'I am begging you, so (please) don't leave me alone.'

医者(いしゃ)が患者(かんじゃ)に言(い)う：「新(あたら)しい薬(くすり)なので、お酒(さけ)と一緒(いっしょ)には飲(の)まないでね。」

Doctor speaking to a patient: 'Since this is a new medicine, (please) don't drink it with alcohol.'

学生(がくせい)が先生(せんせい)に言(い)う：「一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい)頑張(がんば)ります。がっかりしないで。」

A student speaking to their teacher: 'I will do my very best. (Please) don't be disappointed.'