なさい

なさい
auxiliary
(imperative ending)
grammatical
1. do (command/instruction)
An auxiliary verb attached to the stem of verbs to form polite commands, commonly used by superiors to subordinates or parents to children.
括弧(かっこ)内(ない)の語(ご)を使(つか)って文(ぶん)を作(つく)りなさい。
Make sentences using the words in parentheses.
Common in test instructions.
早(はや)く起(お)きなさい。
Wake up early.
静(しず)かにしなさい。
Be quiet.

なさい is attached to the verb stem (masu-stem) to form commands.

Forms

Usage

  • Parents to children
  • Teachers to students
  • Test/exam instructions
  • Superiors to subordinates

Register

Less harsh than plain imperative (食(た)べろ), but still a command.
More commanding than 〜てください.

Softened form

  • なさいよ: softer, often feminine
  • なさいね: softer with confirmation
general
Added 2026.2.4 10:44 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
09500/09856_nasai