Processing keyword: Verb ないで ください (〜naide kudasai)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb ないで ください (〜naide kudasai)

Verb ないでください (〜naide kudasai)

1. Introduction

In Japanese, expressing polite requests is essential for smooth communication. When you want to ask someone not to do something politely, you use the grammar pattern 〜ないでください (〜naide kudasai). This form is widely used in everyday conversations, formal announcements, and written instructions.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

〜ないでください means "Please don't [verb]". It is used to politely request someone to refrain from doing an action.

Structure

To form this expression:

1. Convert the verb to its negative form (ない-form).
2. Add でください after the ない-form.

Formation Diagram

[Verb in ない-form] + でください

Formation Steps

1. Find the dictionary form of the verb.
2. Conjugate it to the ない-form (negative form).
3. Add でください to the ない-form.

Verb Conjugation Table

3. Comparative Analysis

〜ないでください vs. 〜てください

• 〜てください: Used to make polite requests to do something.
  • Example: 座ってください。(Suwatte kudasai.) — Please sit down.
• 〜ないでください: Used to make polite requests not to do something.
  • Example: 立たないでください。(Tatanaide kudasai.) — Please don't stand up.

〜ないでください vs. 〜ないで

• 〜ないでください: Polite request not to do something.
  • Suitable for formal situations.
• 〜ないで: Casual way to ask someone not to do something.
  • Used among friends and family.
  • Example: 行かないで。(Ikanaide.) — Don't go.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

1. 写真を撮らないでください。
   • Shashin o toranaide kudasai.
   • Please don't take pictures.
2. 携帯電話を使わないでください。
   • Keitai denwa o tsukawanaide kudasai.
   • Please don't use mobile phones.
3. ここでタバコを吸わないでください。
   • Koko de tabako o suwanaide kudasai.
   • Please don't smoke here.

Informal Situations

1. まだ寝ないで。
   • Mada nenaide.
   • Don't sleep yet.
2. 一人で行かないで。
   • Hitori de ikanaide.
   • Don't go alone.
3. そんなに心配しないで。
   • Sonnani shinpai shinaide.
   • Don't worry so much.

Written Notices

1. 危険！触らないでください。
   • Kiken! Sawaranaide kudasai.
   • Danger! Please do not touch.
2. 芝生に入らないでください。
   • Shibafu ni hairanaide kudasai.
   • Please do not enter the lawn.
3. ここに駐車しないでください。
   • Koko ni chūsha shinaide kudasai.
   • Please do not park here.

Spoken Conversations

1. 遅れないでくださいね。
   • Okurenaide kudasai ne.
   • Please don't be late.
2. そのことを忘れないでください。
   • Sono koto o wasurenaide kudasai.
   • Please don't forget about that.
3. 部屋を出るとき、電気を消しないでください。
   • Heya o deru toki, denki o keshinaide kudasai.
   • Please don't turn off the lights when you leave the room.

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Indirectness

• In Japanese culture, being direct can sometimes be considered rude.
• 〜ないでください is a polite and indirect way to ask someone to stop or avoid an action.
• It helps maintain harmony and shows respect for the other person's feelings.

Usage in Public Places

• You'll often see 〜ないでください in public signs and announcements.
• It reflects the collective consideration in Japanese society.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 気にしないでください。
  • Ki ni shinaide kudasai.
  • Please don't worry about it.
• This phrase is commonly used to reassure someone.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Mistake 1: Using ませんでください

• Incorrect: 来ませんでください。(Kimasen de kudasai.)
• Correct: 来ないでください。(Konaide kudasai.)
• Tip: Always use the ない-form, not the ません-form, with でください.

Mistake 2: Omitting で

• Incorrect: 食べないください。(Tabenai kudasai.)
• Correct: 食べないでください。(Tabenaide kudasai.)
• Tip: Don't forget the で. It's essential to connect the negative form with ください.

Mistake 3: Mixing Forms

• Incorrect: 行かないくてください。(Ikanaikute kudasai.)
• Correct: 行かないでください。(Ikanaide kudasai.)
• Tip: Use ないで not ないくて when forming this request.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of ないで as "don't do", so [Verb in ない-form] + でください becomes "Please don't [verb]".
• Practice: Create sentences using verbs you frequently use to become familiar with the pattern.
• Visual Aids: Write down the steps to conjugate verbs into the ない-form and keep the structure visible while practicing.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• 〜ないでください is used to make polite requests not to do something.
• Formation: [Verb in ない-form] + でください.
• Do not use ませんでください; always use the ない-form with でください.
• Remember to include で between the negative verb and ください.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "Please don't run" in Japanese?
   • Answer: 走らないでください。 (Hashiranaide kudasai.)
2. Is the following sentence correct? Why or why not?
   • 飲みませんでください。 (Nomimasen de kudasai.)
   • Answer: Incorrect. It should be 飲まないでください (Nomanaide kudasai) because you should use the ない-form, not the ません-form.
3. Fill in the blank:
   • ここで写真を______ください。 (Koko de shashin o ______ kudasai.)
   • Answer: 撮らないで (toranaide) — ここで写真を撮らないでください。 (Please don't take pictures here.)

By mastering 〜ないでください, you'll enhance your ability to communicate politely and effectively in Japanese, especially when requesting someone to refrain from certain actions. Feel free to practice by creating your own sentences using this pattern!