なさる
To do (Honorific)
Structure
料理する ￫ 料理なさる
お + Verb［stem］+ なさる
Conjugations
Verb［る］ ￫ なさる
Verb［ない］ ￫ なさらない
Verb［た］ ￫ なさった
Verb［なかった］ ￫ なさらなかった
Explanation
The verb なさる is a form of honorific language used to show respect for the actions of someone else, but never your own. It is the respectful equivalent of the verb する, sharing the same core meaning as お～になる.
You can substitute なさる directly for する in any context where you wish to elevate the politeness level. It belongs to a special class of verbs with some irregular conjugation patterns. When used in its plain form, it follows the standard rules for a う-Verb.
- お客様は観光をなさるのですか。Will you be going sightseeing?
- ご心配なさらないでください。Please don't worry.
- 部長は先月海外へ出張なさったのですか。Department Head, did you go on a business trip overseas last month?
- このサービスをご利用なさらないなら、お知らせください。If you are not going to use this service, please let us know.
Its politeness-form conjugation is unique, however. Instead of the final る changing to り before ます, as is typical for う-Verbs, it will change to い.
- お食事はどうなさいますか？What would you like to eat?
- ご予定の変更はなさいませんか。Will you not be making any changes to your schedule?
- 先生、お顔の色がよくありませんが、どうなさいましたか。Teacher, you look quite pale. What's the matter?
- その件について、社長はコメントをなさいませんでした。The president did not make any comment regarding that matter.
Caution
While you may hear it used, combining なさる with another honorific verb like いらっしゃる (e.g., なさっていらっしゃる) results in what is known as double keigo. This is generally considered redundant and grammatically incorrect. Pairing なさる with ます, which is standard polite speech, is the correct approach.
- 部長は今、読書をなさっていらっしゃる。The department head is now reading quite readingly. (Unnatural Japanese, with unnatural English to match!)
- 部長は今、読書をなさっています。The department head is currently reading. (Natural Japanese)
Fun Fact
In contemporary Japanese, なさる can sometimes carry a slightly old-fashioned nuance. Many native speakers today prefer to use the お～になる construction instead.
Examples
ご注文はどうなさいますか。
What would you like to order?
部長は昨日ゴルフをなさいました。
The department manager played golf yesterday.
以前、書道をなさっていたそうですね。
I heard that you used to practice calligraphy.
週末は何をなさっていますか。
What do you do on the weekends?
先生は新しい研究をなさろうとしています。
The professor is trying to start some new research.
なにかご心配なさっていますか。
Are you worried about something?
先週の会議では、どんなお話をなさったのですか。
What did you discuss at last week's meeting?
どうぞ、お気遣いなさらないでください。
Please, do not trouble yourself.
もしご旅行なさるのでしたら、お早めにご予約ください。
If you are going to travel, please book early.
明日のパーティーにご参加なさいますか。
Will you participate in tomorrow's party?
お支払いは現金になさいますか、カードになさいますか。
Will you be paying with cash or by card?
今年の夏休みはどうなさるご予定ですか。
What do you plan to do for this year's summer vacation?