Japanese Command form:命令形=めいれいけい=meireikei

 「ここで待ってろって言われたんだけど、彼、まだかなあ。」

= ここでまってろっていわれただけど、彼、まだかなあ。」

= Koko de matterotte iwaretandakedo kare mada kanaa.

= I was told to wait here but he is not here yet?

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Hi everyone!

Today we are going to study the Command form (Imperative form)  of Japanese.

First when you ask someone to do something,

Verb ( = te)  

verb-te form ~て ( = te) 

(polite) 下さい ( = ください = kudasai)

(more polite) いただけますか ( = itadakemasu ka?) 

Clean up your room! / Tidy up your room!

部屋を片付けて (casual) 

= へやをかたづけて

= Heya wo katazukete.

(more polite)

部屋を片付けてください

= へやをかたづけてください

= Heya wo katazukete kudasai.

(more polite)

部屋を片付けていただけますか?

= へやをかたづけていただけますか?

= Heya wo katazukete itadakemasu ka?

Verb ましょう = mashou

When you are talking to children in a softer way you can also use ましょう ( = mashou)

Ex. 部屋を片付けましょう。

= へやをかたづけましょう。

= Heya wo katazukemashou.

= Clean up your room, OK? / Let’s clean up your room, OK? 

Note: ましょう literally means “Let’s do ~” but it can be used to encourage someone to do something. It’s a like when you want someone to do something in English and say, “Why don’t we try studying more?” But the speaker really means, “You should study more.”

Ex. もっとがんばりましょう

= Motto ganbarimashou

= Try harder, OK?

Verb dictionary form + こと ( = koto) / (negative form) ~ない ( = nai) + こと ( = koto) 

You often see this form in the written form 

For example making a list what to do/what not to do 

Ex. 電気を消すのを忘れないこと。

= でんきをけすのをわすれないこと。

= Denki wo kesu no wo wasure nai koto.

= Do not forget to turn off the lights. 

Telling children/students/younger people to do or not to do something.

Ex. 遊園地に連れていってあげるから、明日までに宿題をやること。いい?

= ゆうえんちにつれていってあげるから、あしたまでにしゅくだいをやること。いい?

= Yuuenchi ni tsurete itte ageru kara, ashita made ni shukudai wo yaru koto. ii? 

= I’ll take you to the amusement park. So finish your homework by tomorrow, OK?

Verb なさい = nasai

When you tell someone to do something more strongly 

Verb masu-stem + なさい ( = nasai)

片付けます = かたづけます = katazukemasu 

片付け ( = かたづけ = katazuke) + なさい ( = nasai)

Ex. 部屋を片付けなさい

= へやをかたづけなさい

= Heya wo katazukenasai.

= Clean up your room! / Tidy up your room!

This form is used by parents, adults, older people or supervisors when speaking to children, younger people or their subordinators.

* Parents Children 

Ex. 今、忙しいからあっちで遊んでいなさい。

= いま、いそがしいからあっちであそんでいなさい。

= Ima, isogashii kara acchi de  asonde inasai.

= I am busy right now so go play over there. 

Ex. 車に気をつけて道を渡りなさいよ。

= くるまにきをつけてみちをわたりなさいよ。

= Kuruma ni ki wo tsukete michi wo watarinasai yo.

= Watch out for cars when you’re crossing the street. 

Ex. これ、お兄ちゃんに持っていきなさい。

= これ、おにいちゃんにもっていきなさい。

= Kore, oniichan ni motte ikinasai.

= Take this to your big brother. 

* Older people Younger people / Teachers Students 

Ex. 困ったことがあったらいつでも連絡しなさいね。

= こまったことがあったらいつでもれんらくしなさいね。

= Komatta koto ga attara itsudemo renraku shinasai ne.

= If you have a problem, you can contact me anytime, OK?

Ex. もっと真面目に勉強しなさい。

= もっとまじめにべんきょうしなさい。

= Motto majimeni benkyou shinasai.

= Study more seriously.

Ex. 今日、授業の後で職員室に来なさい。

= きょう、じゅぎょうのあとでしょくいんしつにきなさい。

= Kyou, jugyou no ato de shokuinshitsu ni kinasai.

= Come to the teachers room after class. 

* supervisors subordinators

Ex. よかったら私のコンピューターを使いなさい。

= よかったらわたしのコンピューターをつかいなさい。

= Yokattara watashi no konpyuutaa wo tsukainasai.

= Use my computer if you like.

* (in written form) exam/quiz/test

Ex. 空白に適当な言葉を入れなさい。

= くうはくにてきとうなことばをいれなさい。

= Kuuhaku ni tekitou na kotoba wo irenasai.

= Fill in the blanks with suitable words.

Ex. その理由を100字以内で述べなさい。

= そのりゆうをひゃくじいないでのべなさい。

= Sono riyuu wo hyakuji inai de nobenasai.

= Write the reason in 100 words or less.

Command form:

Command form (Imperative form)  in Japanese is called 命令形 = めいれいけい = meireikei

* How to form:

* ru-verb (dictionary form) ( = ru) ( = ro)

* 食べ = たべ = taberu = to eat  食べ = たべ = tabero = Eat! 

* = = miru = to see/look/watch = = miro = See ~! / Watch!/Look! 

⏩Archaic Command Form:

( = ru) ( = yo)

* 食べ = たべ = taberu = to eat  食べ = たべ = tabeyo = Eat! 

* = = miru = to see/look/watch = = See ~! / Watch!/Look!

u-verb (dictionary form)  u e 

* = = kaku = to write  

= = kake = Write! 

* = = yomu = to read 

= = yome = Read! 

* ある = aru = to be 

= are = Be ~ ! 

Irregular:

* する = suru = to do 

しろ = shiro = Do ~ ! 

* 来る = くる = kuru = to come 

来い = こい = koi = Come!

* いる = iru = to be / to stay

いろ = iro = Be ~ / Stay ~!

⏩Archaic Command Form

* する = suru  = to do

せよ = seyo

* 来い = こい = koi = to come 

来よ = こよ = koyo = Come! (It is rare to hear this form in daily conversation.)

Negative imperative form:

ru-verb (dictionary form) + ( = na)

* 食べる = たべる = taberu = to eat  

食べる = たべる = taberuna = Don’t eat!

* 見る = みる = miru = to see/look/watch 

見る = みる = miruna = Don’t look! 

* する = suru = to do 

する= suruna = Don’t do (that)! 

* 書く = かく = kaku = to write  

書く = かく = kakuna = Don’t write!

⭐️How to use the imperative forms:

For rough male speech:

I explained in my Male Speech lesson 

but I will explain more details in this lesson.

Ex. やめろよ、そんなことを言うのは。

= やめろよ、そんなことをいうのは。

= Yameroyo, sonna koto wo iu nowa.

= Stop saying things like that.

(It’s an inverted form of:

そんなことを言うのはやめろよ 。

 = そんなことをいうのはやめろよ。 

 = Sonna koto wo iu no wa yamero yo.

You sometimes start with the verb to make your point first.

Ex. 早く行けよ。

= はやくいけよ。

= Hayaku ike yo

= Go already! 

Ex. がんばれよ。

= Ganbareyo.

= Hang in there, OK?

Note: The suffix ( = yo) is often used and has the function of emphasizing speech. It has the nuance of “I am telling you.”

It depends on the intonation, but it could also soften the tone of the roughness.

Ex. 好(す)きにしろ!

= Suki ni shiro!

= Suit yourself!

Ex. コーヒーを飲んだらカップを洗っておけよ。

= コーヒーをのんだらカップをあらっておけよ。

= Koohii wo nondara kappu wo aratte okeyo.

= Wash your cup after you drink coffee, OK?

Ex. 人のことに口出しするな。

=ひとのことにくちだしするな。

= Hito no koto ni kuchidashi suruna.

= Don’t stick your nose into someone’s affairs.

Ex. 仕事中に電話をするな。

= しごとちゅうにでんわをするな。

= Shigoto chuu ni denwa wo suruna.

= Don’t call me when I am working.

Note: The negative command form of ru-verb :  

( = ru) sometimes changes to ( = n) in casual conversation. 

するな (= suruna) →すんな ( = sunna)

Ex. そんな顔するなよ。

= そんなかおするなよ。

= Sonna kao suruna yo.

= Don’t make that face. /Don’t give me that look.

そんな顔すんなよ

= そんなかおすんなよ。

= Sonna kao sunnayo

くるな ( kuruna) →くんな (kunna) 

Ex. こっちにくるな

= kocchi ni kuruna

= Don’t come here.

こっちにくんな

= Kocchi ni kunna

★Variation:

Verb + いて

= Verb te + ite

Please wait for me here.

ここで待(ま)っていてください。

= Koko de matte ite kudasai.

(casual) Wait for me here.

ここで待(ま)っていて。

= Koko de matte ite.

(Command form/rough)

ここで待(ま)っていろ。

= Koko de matte iro.

In casual conversation, you sometimes drop ( = i)

ここで待(ま)ってろ。

= Koko de mattero.

From the picture above:

「ここで待ってろって言われたんだけど、彼、まだかなあ。」

= ここでまってろっていわれたんだけど、かれ、まだかなあ。」

= Koko de matterotte iwaretandakedo kare mada kanaa.

= I was told to wait here, but he still hasn’t come?

Verb + くれ 

= Verb te + kure

When you ask someone to do something for you, you use:

Verb te-form ~ ( = te) + くれますか ( = kuremasu ka)

Can you do ~ for me?

ペンを貸してくれますか?

= ペンをかしてくれますか?

= Pen wo kashite kuremasu ka?

= Can you lend me your pen? (It can be translated, “Can I borrow your pen?”)

The imperative form of くれる ( = kureru) is くれ ( = kure)

ペンを貸(か)してくれ

= Pen wo kashite kure

Even if it’s still rough, it adds some nuance,  “Do / Don’t do ~ for me, will you?” 

やめてください

= Yamete kudasai

= Stop it. (Stop doing something.) 

やめないでください

= Yamenaide kudasai

= Please don’t stop.

(more casual)

やめて

= Yamete

= Stop it!

(negative form) 

やめないで

= Yamenaide

= Don’t stop.

(command form/rough)

やめろ

= Yamero

(negative form)

やめるな

= Yameruna

= Don’t stop!

with くれる ( = kureru)

やめてくれますか?

= Yamete kuremasu ka?

= Won’t you please stop it?

(negative form) 

やめないでくれますか?

= Yamenaide kudasai

= Please don’t stop it?

(more casual)

やめてくれる?

= Yamete kureru?

= Stop it, will you?

(negative form) 

やめないでくれる?

= Yamenaide kureru?

= Don’t stop, will you?

(command form/rough)

やめてくれ。

= Yamete kure.

= Stop it, will you?

(negative command form/rough)

やめないでくれ。

= Yamenaide kure.

= Don’t stop, will you?

Ex. この仕事、明日までにやっておいてくれ。

= このしごと、あしたまでにやっておいてくれ。

= Kono shigoto, ashita made ni yatte oite kure

= Finish this work by tomorrow (for me).

Verb + おいて

= Verb te + oite

= to do something ahead of time and leave it

エアコンをつけておいてください。

= Eakon wo tsuketeoite kudasai.

= Please turn on the air conditioning and leave it on (for me).

(casual)

エアコンをつけておいて。

= Eakon wo tsukete oite.

(command form/rough)

エアコンをつけておけ。

= Eakon wo tsukete oke.

 

Ex. ここに荷物を置いておかないでください。

= ここににもつをおいておかないでください。

= Kokoni nimotsu wo oite okanai de kudasai.

= Please do not leave your package here.

(casual)

ここに荷物を置いておかないで。

= ここににもつをおいておかないで。

= Koko ni nimotsu wo oite okanaide.

(command form/rough)

ここに荷物を置いておくな。

= ここににもつをおいておくな。

= Koko ni nimotsu wo oite okuna.

Archaic Imperative/Command Form:

While you use the regular command form in conversation, you don’t use this (Formal Imperative Form / Archaic Imperative Form) command form in conversation. You will see or hear this form in older literature, older sayings (like proverbs) or in TV dramas or anime adventures, Science Fiction, military stories, Samurai dramas, etc. 

Ex. ただちに応答せよ。

= ただちにおうとうせよ。

= Tadachi ni outou seyo.

= Respond immediately.

Ex. 以下のことを心得よ。

= いかのことをこころえよ。

= Ika no koto wo kokoroeyo.

= Keep in mind the following.

Ex. 念には念を入れよ。(Old saying)

= ねんにはねんをいれよ。

= Nen niwa nen wo ire yo

= It’s best to be as safe as possible.

Slogan /motto / street sign / Precautionary statements:

You see this form in street signs, product warnings or slogans.

Ex. 止まれ (Street sign) 

= とまれ

= Tomare

= Stop!

Ex. 走るな危険!  (sign)

= はしるなきけん!

= Hashiruna kiken !

= Don’t run! It’s dangerous.

Ex. 混ぜるな危険 (on the label) 

= まぜるなきけん

= Mazeruna kiken

= Don’t mix. It’s dangerous.

Ex.触るな

= さわるな

= Sawaruna

= Don’t touch!

Ex. 子供を守れ!

= こどもをまもれ!

= Kodomo wo mamore!

= Protect children! 

Ex. 原発はやめろ!

= げんぱつはやめろ!

= Genpatsu wa yamero!

=  Stop (using) the nuclear power station!  

When you cheer someone up or root for them.

Ex. 負けるな!がんばれ!

= Makeruna! Ganbare!

= Don’t give up! Hang in there! / You can do it!

Ex. 行け~!!

= いけえ~!!

= Ikee !!

= Gooo!! 

Ex. 走れ、走れ〜!

= はしれ、はしれ〜!

= Hashire, hashiree!

= Run!!! 

★Special Expression (literal)

Basic pattern: ~に幸あれ =  ~にさちあれ =   ~ ni sachi are = Best wishes to ~ 

Ex. 皆さんに幸あれ

= みなさんにさちあれ

= Minasan ni sachi are

= I wish you all the best. 

Basic pattern: (person’s name) に幸あれ = (person’s name) ni sachi are)

★Talking to non-living object

I said this is for male speech but there is kind of cute way for women and children to use it when they are talking to an object.

Talking to the dish/beverage you are making.

While stirring your coffee. . .

Ex. 美味しくな~れ!

= おいしくな~れ!

= Oishiku naare!

= Be delicious! 

Stretching なれ ( = nare)  to  な~れ ( なーれ/なあれ= naare)  sounds softer and cuter.

Talking to a plant. . .

Ex. 早く大きくな~れ!

= はやくおおきくな~れ!

= Hayaku ookiku naare! 

= Grow bigger soon!

★Quoting the command form (indirect quote with command form) :

It is often used when you quote someone’s advice, instruction or warning. 

For example:

Maggie: 「明日までに作文を書いてきてください。/ (stronger) 書いてきなさい。」

= あしたまでにさくぶんをかいてきてください。/ かいてきなさい。

= Ashita made ni sakubun wo kaite kite kudasai. / Kaite kinasai.

= Write your composition by tomorrow. 

There are a few ways to quote this.

Someone + ~と/~ように(と)/ command form と言(い)った

= Someone ga ~ to/youni (to)/ / command form + to itta. 

Passive form:

Someone ~と/~ように(と)/ command form と言(い)われた 

= Someone ni ~ to / youni (to)/ imperative form  to iwareta

You can say, “Maggie Sensei told me to do my homework by tomorrow.” in the following different ways. And the nuance changes slightly.

1A) マギー先生が明日までに作文を書いてきなさいと言った。

= マギーせんせいがあしたまでにさくぶんをかいてきなさいといった。

= Maggie Sensei ga ashita made ni sakubun wo kaite kinasai to itta.

2A) マギー先生が明日までに作文を書いてくるように(と)言った。

= マギーせんせいがあしたまでにさくぶんをかいてくるように(と)いった。

= Maggie Sensei ga ashita madeni sakubun wo kaite kuru you ni (to) itta.

With the command/imperative form:

3A) マギー先生が明日までに作文を書けと言った。

= マギーせんせいがあしたまでにさくぶんをかけといった。

= Maggie Sensei ga ashita madeni sakubun wo kake to itta.

Passive forms: 

1B) マギー先生に明日までに作文を書きなさいと言われた。

=マギーせんせいにあしたまでにさくぶんをかきなさいといわれた。

= Maggie Sensei ni ashita made ni sakubun wo kakinasai to iwareta.

2B) マギー先生に明日までに作文を書いてくるように(と)言われた。

=マギーせんせいにあしたまでにさくぶんをかいてくるように(と)いわれた。

= Maggie Sensei ni ashita made ni sakubun wo kaite kuru you ni (to) iwareta.

with the command form:

3B) マギー先生に明日までに作文を書いて来いと言われた。

= マギーせんせいにあしたまでにさくぶんをかいてこいといわれた。

= Maggie Sensei ni ashita made ni sakubun wo kaite koi to iwareta.

I didn’t actually say 作文を書いて来い = さくぶんをかいてこい = sakubun wo kaite koiwhich sounds really rough. 

Using the command form in an indirect quote makes the demand/instructions/warning stronger, but it doesn’t sound so blunt. 

It loses roughness in an indirect quote. 

Note: In casual conversation, you use って ( =tte) instead of ( = to) when you quote. 

書いて来いって言われた。

= かいてこいっていわれた。

= Kaite koitte iwareta.

I will show you more examples:

Ex. 子供の頃、よく先生に授業中におしゃべりするなと怒られた。

= こどものころ、よくせんせいにじゅぎょうちゅうにおしゃべりするなとおこられた。

= Kodomono koro, yoku sensei ni jugyouchuu ni oshaberi suruna to okorareta.

= When I was a child, I was often scolded not to talk during class by my teacher.

Ex. このゲーム欲しいけど親に無駄遣いはするなと言われているからなあ

= このゲームほしいけどおやにむだづかいはするなといわれているからなあ

= Kono geemu hoshii kedo oyani mudazukai wa suruna to iwarete iru karanaa.

= I want to buy this game, but I have been told my parents not to waste my money so…

Ex. 今日は、妻に早く帰って来いと言われているからもう帰るよ。

= きょうは、つまにはやくかえってこいといわれているからもうかえるよ。

= Kyou wa, tsuma ni hayaku kaette koi to iwarete iru kara mou kaeru yo.

= I was told by wife to come home early today so I am going home now.

Ex. 具合が悪いの? 来るなと言われてもお見舞いにいくからね。

=ぐあいがわるいの? くるなといわれてもおみまいにいくからね。

= Guai ga warui no? Kuruna to iwarete mo omimai ni iku karane.

= You are not feeling well? Even if you tell me not to, I am going to go visit you.

Note: There is a Japanese comedian whose famously known for a bit where he jumps into a hot bath on purpose after being pushed in by other members of his comedy group. He stands on the edge of the bathtub and tells his companions not to push him saying:

押すなよ。絶対押すなよ。

= おすなよ。ぜったいおすなよ。

= Osunayo. Zettai osunayo.

= Don’t push me. Definitely do not push me.

But actually he does want to be pushed in to make people laugh.

So his members would say:

Ex. 押すなと言われると押したくなる。😜

= おすなといわれるとおしたくなる。

= Osuna to iwareru to oshitaku naru.

= If I am told not to push, it makes me feel like pushing you more.
/Being told not to push you makes me feel like pushing you.

Ex. 今日は誕生日だから早く帰れと上司が言ってくれたらいいのに。

= きょうはたんじょうびだからはやくかえれとじょうしがいってくれたらいいのに。
= Kyou wa tanjoubi dakara hayaku kaere to joushi ga itte kuretara ii noni.

= I wish my boss would tell me to go home early today because it’s my birthday today.

Ex. 3時に来いと言われたから時間通りに来たのにまだ誰もいない。

= さんじにこいといわれたからじかんどおりにきたのにまだだれもいない。

= Sanji ni koi to iwareta kara jikandoori ni kita noni mada daremo inai.

= I came here on time because I was told to come here at three but nobody is here yet.

Ex. もっと食べろと言われてももうお腹がいっぱいです。

= もっとたべろといわれてももうおなかがいっぱいです。

= Motto tabero to iwarete mo mou onaka ga ippai desu.

= Though I am told to eat more, I am full already.

Ex. もうあんなやつには会うなと言われても会いたくてたまらない。

= もうあんなやつにはあうなといわれてもあいたくてたまらない。

= Mou anna yatsu ni auna to iwarete mo aitaku te tamaranai.

= Even if I am told not to see that kind of guy anymore, I can’t help wanting to see him.

(Note: やつ(奴) = yatsu is a blunt way to say ( = ひと= hito) a person

**

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

待ってろと言われたけど来ないからもう家に帰ります。ぷんぷん。😠

= Mattero to iwareta kedo konai kara mou ie ni kaerimasu. Pun pun.

= I was told to wait, but he didn’t show up so I am going home now. So annoying. 😠

***

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4 Comments

  1. こんにちはマギー先生!
    I spotted a minor error in the lesson:

    →書くな = かくな = kakuna = Don’t buy!
    Should be “Don’t write!” of course.

    Thank you very much for the lesson, I learned a few things that have always been obscure to me like converting る to ん for the casual negative command!

    1. こんにちは altuser!
      Thank you for spotting the mistake.
      I’ll fix it right away. 💨
      I’m happy to hear you learned something from this lesson.☺️

  2. A quick question Sensei, what is the difference between…

    ここで待っていてください。

    = Koko de matte ite kudasai.

    and

    ここで待ってください。

    = Koko de matte kudasai.

    I imagine they both mean the same thing essentially, but I’m interested to know what the difference in nuance is.

    Thank you in advance!

    1. Hello Jimmi

      Good question.
      As you said, the translation will be the same, “Please wait here.” but the nuance difference is
      ここで待っていてください
      It will take certain period of time and stay here and wait. (focusing on the state of waiting)

      ここで待ってください
      Focusing on the location where the listener waits = “here”.

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