命令形 (しろ) and 禁止形 (～な)
In Japanese, the 命令形 (meirei-kei), or imperative form, is used to give commands or orders, while the 禁止形 (kinshi-kei), or prohibitive form, is used to express prohibition or forbidding actions. These forms are direct and can come across as very strong, often sounding rude or abrupt in casual situations. They are typically used in military, emergency situations, or between people of different ranks (e.g., parent to child, teacher to student), though the tone may be softened when used with close friends or family.
命令形 (meirei-kei) – Imperative Form
Frequent Usages
- 行け (ike) – "Go!"
- やれ (yare) – "Do it!"
- 話せ (hanase) – "Speak!"
- 来い (koi) – "Come!"
- 見ろ (miro) – "Look!"
Meaning and Usage
The imperative form is used to command or urge someone to take an action. This form is quite strong and can sound demanding or blunt, so it is generally reserved for specific situations such as:
- Authority Figures: Used by those in authority (e.g., teachers, parents) to give orders.
- Emergency Situations: Used when quick action is needed, e.g., telling someone to "run!" in a dangerous situation.
- Casual Contexts with Close Friends: When used among friends, it may sound playful or slightly aggressive, but the intent is softened.
Forming 命令形
- Godan (五段) Verbs: Change the last syllable to the "え" (e) sound.
- 行く (iku) → 行け (ike) – "Go!"
- 飲む (nomu) → 飲め (nome) – "Drink!"
- 書く (kaku) → 書け (kake) – "Write!"
- Ichidan (一段) Verbs: Replace る (ru) with ろ (ro).
- 食べる (taberu) → 食べろ (tabero) – "Eat!"
- 見る (miru) → 見ろ (miro) – "Look!"
- Irregular Verbs:
- する (suru) → しろ (shiro) – "Do it!"
- くる (kuru) → こい (koi) – "Come!"
Examples with 命令形
- 早く来い！ (はやくこい!)
"Come quickly!" - 走れ！ (はしれ!)
"Run!" - 黙れ！ (だまれ!)
"Be quiet!" - 見ろ！ (みろ!)
"Look!"
禁止形 (kinshi-kei) – Prohibitive Form
Frequent Usages
- 行くな (ikuna) – "Don’t go!"
- やるな (yaruna) – "Don’t do it!"
- 話すな (hanasuna) – "Don’t talk!"
- 見るな (miruna) – "Don’t look!"
- 触るな (sawaruna) – "Don’t touch!"
Meaning and Usage
The prohibitive form is used to forbid or prohibit actions, directly telling someone not to do something. Like the imperative form, the prohibitive form is quite strong and should be used with caution as it may sound rude. It is often used in:
- Emergency or High-Stakes Situations: Telling someone not to move or not to do something dangerous.
- Authority Figures: Used by parents, teachers, or authority figures to command others not to act.
- Close Relationships: When used among close friends, it may sound more playful or joking.
Forming 禁止形
To form the prohibitive form, simply take the dictionary form of the verb and add な (na).
- Godan Verbs:
- 行く (iku) → 行くな (ikuna) – "Don’t go!"
- 話す (hanasu) → 話すな (hanasuna) – "Don’t talk!"
- 飲む (nomu) → 飲むな (nomuna) – "Don’t drink!"
- Ichidan Verbs:
- 食べる (taberu) → 食べるな (taberuna) – "Don’t eat!"
- 見る (miru) → 見るな (miruna) – "Don’t look!"
- Irregular Verbs:
- する (suru) → するな (suruna) – "Don’t do it!"
- くる (kuru) → くるな (kuruna) – "Don’t come!"
Examples with 禁止形
- ここに入るな！ (ここにはいるな!)
"Don’t enter here!" - 食べるな！ (たべるな!)
"Don’t eat!" - 話すな！ (はなすな!)
"Don’t talk!" - 触るな！ (さわるな!)
"Don’t touch!"
Key Differences Between 命令形 and 禁止形
- Function:
- 命令形: Tells someone to do something, giving a command or urging action.
- 禁止形: Tells someone not to do something, forbidding or prohibiting an action.
- Politeness:
- Both forms are very direct and strong; they can come across as rude if used inappropriately. They are typically reserved for emergency, authority-driven, or very casual contexts.
- Tone and Context:
- 命令形 can imply urgency or authority and may be playful among friends but can sound aggressive.
- 禁止形 is used to assert control, prevent actions, or give direct warnings.
Summary Example Sentences
命令形
- 行け！ (いけ!) – "Go!"
- 書け！ (かけ!) – "Write!"
- 待て！ (まて!) – "Wait!"
- 来い！ (こい!) – "Come!"
禁止形
- 行くな！ (いくな!) – "Don’t go!"
- 見るな！ (みるな!) – "Don’t look!"
- 話すな！ (はなすな!) – "Don’t talk!"
- 触るな！ (さわるな!) – "Don’t touch!"
These forms add emphasis to actions and prohibitions, but care should be taken to use them appropriately, as they can easily sound too strong.
