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.
静かにしなさい。
Be quiet.
なさい is attached to the verb stem (masu-stem) to form commands.
Forms
- 動詞ます形 + なさい
- 食べます → 食べなさい
- 書きます → 書きなさい
- します → しなさい
- なさいよ: softer, often feminine
- なさいね: softer with confirmation
Usage
- Parents to children
- Teachers to students
- Test/exam instructions
- Superiors to subordinates
Register
Less harsh than plain imperative (食べろ), but still a command.
More commanding than 〜てください.
Common expressions
Several everyday set phrases contain the same form: おやすみなさい (good night), おかえりなさい (welcome home), ごめんなさい (I'm sorry).