STRUCTURE
動詞辞書形＋な※動詞ます形＋なは逆に「命令」なので別物
行くな・見るな・入るな · 行きな
HOW TO USE IT
- な follows the dictionary form of a verb: 行くな・見るな・入るな. It means "don't ~", a blunt prohibition.
- Used when a superior speaks bluntly to someone below (father to child, older to younger brother), in danger shouts, and on warning signs (入るな).
- Not used with teachers, customers or older people. In those cases use ～ないでください.
- ます-stem + な (食べな・行きな) is a soft command, not a prohibition. Do not confuse it with dictionary form + な.
WATCH OUT
×先生、ここに入るな。
○先生、ここに入らないでください。
な is a blunt prohibition and is not said to a teacher. With superiors, ～ないでください is usually used.
×（お父さんが子どもに）その犬にさわらないな！
○（お父さんが子どもに）その犬にさわるな！
Prohibitive な follows the dictionary form: さわるな. さわらないな is not a prohibition.
×（お父さんが子どもに）それはお父さんのお酒だ。飲みな！
○（お父さんが子どもに）それはお父さんのお酒だ。飲むな！
飲みな is ます-stem + な and means "drink it", the opposite of a ban. To forbid, use the dictionary form: 飲むな.
Examples
あぶない！その川で泳ぐな！
あぶない！そのかわでおよぐな！
Dangerous! Don't swim in that river!
ここで写真をとるな。
ここでしゃしんをとるな。
Don't take photos here.
今日は雨だから、外で遊ぶな。
きょうはあめだから、そとであそぶな。
It's raining today, so don't play outside.
Often confused with
How each pair differs, with the exam trap in context, is in the Toey lesson.
Practise ～な（禁止） with drills and review
Free: all of N5, with drills, audio and spaced review.
Start free →