なさい

Japanese

Etymology
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

なさい • (-nasai) 

  1. (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

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

Derived terms

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