We have already learned one of conjugation pattern, Nai-form of verbs. Nai-form is useful when distinguishing between Group2 and Group1 verbs. If a vowel before “nai” is “i” or “e”, the verb is of Gourp2. If a vowel before “nai” is “a”, the verb is of Group1. Of course, you need to know that “Kuru/Kimasu” and “Suru/Shimasu” are the Group3 verbs.
Today, let us learn a construction that uses Nai-forms of a verb.
1. [V-nai] de Kudasai.
This construction is basically to prohibit an action that a listener may be going to do. There is a strong expression when you need to stop someone to do something. It’s “Dictionary form + na!”. “[V-nai] de Kudasai.” is more moderate and polite than “[V(dictionary)]+na!”. However, even “[V-nai] de Kudasai.” may sometimes sound like an order. So, please be careful for the situation and whom you are going to say this expression.
Example of “[V-nai] de Kudasai.”
The followings are to forbid an Action;
– Osake o Nomanai*de Kudasai. (Please do not drink alcohol.)
*Nomanai = Nai-form of the verb “Nomu/Nomimasu(drink)”
– Koko ni Hairanai*de Kudasai. (Please do not enter here.)
*Hairanai = Nai-form of the verb “Hairu/Hairimasu (enter/get in)”
Sometimes this construction is used for not only forbidding an action but, by saying so, for expressing your feeling of care about a listener. The followings are to express your caring;
– Sumaho o Wasurenai* de Kudasai. (Please do not leave your smartphone behind.)
*Wasurenai = Nai-form of the verb “Wasureru/Wasuremasu (forget)”
– Amari Shimpaishinai* de Kudasai. (Please do not worry about it so much)
*Shimpaishinai = Nai-form of the verb “Shimpaisuru/Shimpaishimasu (worry)”
This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section 17 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
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