N5Grammar

な (Prohibitive)

Do not, Don't (Prohibitive)

Structure

Verb + な

Explanation

The particle な is a sentence ending particle. When placed after the dictionary form of a verb, it creates a strong, direct command for someone to refrain from doing an action.

静(しず)かに！喋(しゃべ)るな！
Be quiet! Don't talk!
「宿題(しゅくだい)を忘(わす)れるな！」と先生(せんせい)が言(い)った。
The teacher said, “Don't forget your homework!”

Examples

触(さわ)るな。

Don't touch it.

廊下(ろうか)を走(はし)るな。

Don't run in the hallway.

忘(わす)れるな。

Don't forget.

そのケーキを食(た)べるな。

Don't eat that cake.

授業中(じゅぎょうちゅう)に寝(ね)るな。

Don't sleep during class.

そのドアを開(あ)けるな。

Don't open that door.

あきらめるな。

Don't give up.

図書館(としょかん)で大声(おおごえ)で話(はな)すな。

Don't speak loudly in the library.

この川(かわ)で釣(つ)りをするな。

Don't fish in this river.

そんなに飲(の)むな。

Don't drink so much.

私(わたし)に嘘(うそ)をつくな。

Don't lie to me.

Related Grammar

— Do not, Don't (Prohibitive)