Prohibitive form

Level 3Sounds Like kinshikatachi

The Prohibitive Form (禁止形) is the strongest way to tell someone 'Don't!' in Japanese. It is formed by adding な to the dictionary form of any verb. It is used in emergencies, by authority figures, or on public warning signs.

How It Works

The 禁止形 (きんしけい) is the negative counterpart to the Imperative Form. It carries a tone of authority, urgency, or anger.

1. Formation:
This is one of the most regular conjugations in Japanese. You simply take the dictionary form (plain form) and add な.

  • Group 1 (Godan): 行く → 行くな (Don't go)
  • Group 2 (Ichidan): 食べる → 食べるな (Don't eat)
  • Group 3 (Irregular): する → するな (Don't do); 来る（くる） → 来るな（くるな） (Don't come)

2. Usage Contexts:
Because it is extremely blunt and can be perceived as aggressive, its use is restricted to specific situations:

  • Emergencies: To prevent immediate danger (e.g., 'Don't touch!').
  • Public Signs: On 'No Entry' or 'Keep Off' signs.
  • Strict Authority: Used by coaches, parents (in anger), or superiors to subordinates.
  • Slogans/Cheering: Used in sports to mean 'Don't give up!' or 'Don't lose!'

3. Gender and Nuance:
While often associated with masculine speech, it is used by anyone in signs, slogans, or when speaking to pets/children in high-stress situations. It is much harsher than ないでください or てはいけない.

Examples (4)

  1. 危ない！そこを動くな！

    Danger! Don't move from there!

    Word by Word: Dangerous! There (object marker) move-don't!

    Used in an emergency to prevent someone from getting hurt.

  2. 芝生に入るな。

    Keep off the grass.

    Word by Word: Lawn into enter-don't.

    Commonly seen on public signs to indicate a strict rule.

  3. あきらめるな！最後まで頑張れ！

    Don't give up! Do your best until the end!

    Word by Word: Give up-don't! End until do-your-best!

    Used as a strong encouragement or slogan in sports contexts.

  4. 人の話に割り込むな。

    Don't interrupt people when they're talking.

    Word by Word: Person's talk into interrupt-don't.

    A blunt command from a superior or someone who is angry.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the prohibitive 「な」 with the casual command 「な」.

    食べな！
    食べるな！

    Adding 「な」 to the ます-stem (食べな) is actually a casual, friendly invitation to eat. To forbid eating, you must use the dictionary form + な (食べるな).

  • Misreading the reading for 'Don't come'.

    こいな
    くるな

    Learners often mix this up with the imperative form 「こい」. The prohibitive form always uses the dictionary reading: 「来るな」 is read as 「くるな」.

  • Using it in standard social situations.

    遅れるな。
    遅れないでください。

    Using the prohibitive form with friends or colleagues is considered very rude or aggressive. Use ないでください for standard requests.

How It Connects

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Prohibitive formLevel 3

Learn This First

The prohibitive form (禁止形) is constructed by adding the particle 'な' to the dictionary form of a verb. To understand this, learners must be comfortable with basic verb concepts and the dictionary form. Additionally, because this form is very strong and potentially rude, knowledge of politeness levels is crucial for its correct application.

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