な
A blunt prohibition meaning "Don't ~!" It forbids an action directly and forcefully. It is typical of shouted warnings, orders from a superior, or firm, curt commands.
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This form is very curt and colloquial. It appears in urgent warnings, parents scolding children, coaches, stern orders, and quoted commands with と. It sounds rough and masculine in everyday conversation. Compared with ないでください, which is a polite request, and てはいけない, which states a rule, な is the most direct and forceful way to say "don't."
Do not confuse prohibitive な after the 辞書形 with casual imperative な after the 連用形 (食べな = "eat"), which is short for なさい.
Note that 走るな sounds harsh toward superiors, customers, or strangers; use 走らないでください in polite situations.
Learners sometimes attach な to the ない形; the prohibition uses the dictionary form (吸うな, not 吸わないな).
- てはいけないN5「てはいけない」 attaches to the て-form of verbs, and also to adjectives and nouns, and can mean 'you must not / it won't do.' Its register is neutral, and it can be replaced with 「いけません」 to sound more polite. As a prohibition it can replace 「な」, but with a less harsh tone.
- ないでくださいN5「ないでください」 also expresses prohibition, but as a polite request; it attaches to the ない-form of verbs and is used in everyday reminders, service situations, and notices. 「な」 attaches to the dictionary form and is blunt and rude, so it cannot be substituted in polite situations.
- てはならないN2「てはならない」 attaches to the て-form, as well as adjectives and nouns, and has a solemn, written tone used in laws, regulations, and moral admonitions. 「な」 attaches to the dictionary form, is colloquial and rude, and is used to stop someone on the spot or on signs; the two differ in register and are generally not interchangeable.
- べからずN1「べからず」 likewise attaches to the dictionary form of verbs to express a strong prohibition, but it has a classical flavor and appears mainly on signs, regulations, and admonitions; using it in speech sounds exaggerated. It can also modify nouns as 「べからざる」, a usage 「な」 does not have.
- なさいN4「なさい」 attaches to the ます-stem and urges the listener to do something; it is also used in exam instructions. 「な」 attaches to the dictionary form and forbids the action. 「行くな」 means 'don't go,' while 「行きなさい」 means 'go (now),' so they cannot be swapped.
「な」 is the most direct and rude way to forbid something. 「てはいけない」 is a general prohibition or rule statement with a softer tone; 「ないでください」 is a polite request; 「てはならない」 is formal and written, emphasizing duty or principle; 「べからず」 is a classical form seen mostly on signs; and 「なさい」 is an affirmative command, the opposite in meaning.
