modality N3 common casualliterary
〜な — negative command 'don't ~'
〜な ・ な
Meaning
- don't ~! — a blunt negative command attached to the plain verb
Key sentence
触るな。
Don't touch.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (dictionary form) + な | Vる + な | 行くな (don't go) |
Examples
二度とここに来るな。
Don't ever come here again.
心配するな、大丈夫だ。
Don't worry, it'll be fine.
芝生に入るな。
Keep off the grass.
When you can't use it
- Attaches to the *dictionary form* (行くな), and is rough and forceful — mostly male, used in anger, warnings, and on signs. Don't confuse it with the soft sentence-final な (agreement/emotion): the prohibitive follows a plain verb and is stressed.
Easily confused with
命令形 〜な is the negative counterpart of the imperative: 行け ('go!') / 行くな ('don't go!'). Same blunt register, opposite polarity. な (sentence-final) Same kana, different jobs: prohibitive な attaches to a dictionary-form verb as a command (来るな = 'don't come'); the sentence-final な is a soft particle of emotion or agreement (いい な = 'nice, huh').
Notes
- The gentler 'please don't' is 〜ないでください; 〜ないように is a softer 'make sure not to.'
See 〜な in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜な the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.