Translated examples
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please do not take photos here.
この紙を捨てないでください。
Please do not throw away this paper.
大きい声で話さないでください。
Please do not speak loudly.
まだ帰らないでください。
Please do not go home yet.
Verb nai-form + でください asks the listener not to do something. First form the negative verb ending in ない, then add でください: 撮る → 撮らない → 撮らないでください, “Please do not take a photo.”
Form the negative request
| Verb type | Dictionary form | Nai-form | Request |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | 書く | 書かない | 書かないでください |
| Group 1 | 読む | 読まない | 読まないでください |
| Group 1 ending in う | 買う | 買わない | 買わないでください |
| Group 2 | 開ける | 開けない | 開けないでください |
| Irregular | する | しない | しないでください |
| Irregular | 来る（くる） | 来ない（こない） | 来ないでください（こないでください） |
For Group 1, the final u-row sound normally changes to the a-row before ない. The う ending becomes わない, not あない. Group 2 removes る and adds ない. Confirm the group of a る-ending verb instead of assuming all such verbs are Group 2.
Understand who should refrain
ここで写真を撮らないでください。— Please do not take photos here.
この箱を開けないでください。— Please do not open this box.
まだ送らないでください。— Please do not send it yet.
The listener is asked to refrain from the action. まだ means “not yet” in the last sentence. Add the place or object when it prevents misunderstanding, rather than relying on a phrase whose target is unclear.
Compare three different meanings
| Sentence | Meaning | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 開けてください。 | Please open it. | Request the action |
| 開けないでください。 | Please do not open it. | Request that it not be done |
| 開けてはいけません。 | You must not open it. | State a prohibition |
ないでください seeks the listener’s cooperation, while てはいけません states that an action is not permitted. Both can occur in instructions, but their tone and function are not identical. Neither should be confused with なくてもいい, which means the action is not required.
For example, 書かなくてもいいです means “You do not have to write it.” It does not mean “Please do not write it.” The listener may still be allowed to write.
Avoid the wrong negative construction
| Mistake for the intended request | Correction | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 撮りないでください | 撮らないでください | Group 1 撮る uses 撮らない |
| 買あないでください | 買わないでください | う changes to わ before ない |
| 開けなくてください | 開けないでください | This negative request uses ないで |
| 来ない read kinai | 来ない read konai | The irregular verb changes its reading |
Practice
- Form a negative request from 読む.
- Form a negative request from 買う.
- Form a negative request from 来る and give its reading.
- Complete “Please do not open this box”: この箱を＿＿でください。 Use 開ける.
- Which asks someone not to act: 書かないでください or 書かなくてもいいです?
- Which more directly states a rule: 入らないでください or 入ってはいけません?
Show answers and explanations
Answers and explanations
- 読まないでください. む changes to ま before ない.
- 買わないでください. The う ending changes to わない.
- 来ないでください, こないでください. Remember the irregular reading.
- 開けない. The full request is この箱を開けないでください.
- 書かないでください. The other sentence removes the requirement to write; it does not prohibit writing.
- 入ってはいけません. It states that entering is not allowed. 入らないでください asks the listener not to enter.
Compare positive requests, permission, and prohibition. Practise each with a different action and explain the intended purpose before checking the ending.
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