なさい

Japanese edit

Etymology edit

Alternative spelling
為さい

From 為さる (nasaru, honorific for する suru, “to do”), derived from 為す (nasu, “to do”).^[1]^[2]

Suffix edit

なさい • (-nasai)

(informal) combines with the verb stem to create an imperative as a kind of strong request
よく聞(き)きなさい！
Yoku kikinasai!
Listen up! (as to a child or spouse)

ここに名(な)前(まえ)を書(か)きなさい。
Koko ni namae o kakinasai.
Write your name here.

あの猫(ねこ)を見(み)なさい。
Ano neko o minasai.
Watch that cat.

Usage notes edit

This is a suffix, attaching to the 連(れん)用(よう)形(けい) (ren'yōkei, “stem or continuative form”) of verbs.

This is stronger than a simple request, and is considered somewhat informal. This may be used as a way of issuing a command, such as a teacher prompting a student to pay attention, or a parent scolding a child.

Unlike 下(くだ)さい (kudasai), -nasai can only be used to make positive commands, never negative commands.

Synonyms edit

(imperative): な (na)
(request): 下(くだ)さい (kudasai); 頂(ちょう)戴(だい) (chōdai)

Derived terms edit

References edit

^ Shōgaku Tosho (1988) 国語大辞典（新装版） [Unabridged Dictionary of Japanese (Revised Edition)] (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN
^ Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 (in Japanese), Third edition, Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN

[KDJ-1] Shōgaku Tosho (1988) 国語大辞典（新装版） [Unabridged Dictionary of Japanese (Revised Edition)] (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN

[DJR-2] Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 (in Japanese), Third edition, Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN

[1]

[2]