起こさないでください
okosanaide kudasai
The Japanese phrase for "do not disturb" is 起こさないでください (okosanaide kudasai).
起こさないでください is used specifically to mean "do not wake (someone) up." It is not used for a general request to not disturb your work or bother you.
Meaning: do not disturb (phrase)
Which one should you use?
If you want to tell someone not to interfere with your work or activities, use 邪魔しないでください instead. While 起こさないでください focuses on sleep, 邪魔しないでください is used when you do not want to be interrupted or bothered during an activity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The polite way to say "don't wake (me) up" is 起こさないでください. You can make this informal by dropping the ください to say 起こさないで, which is used with friends or family. For an informal way to say "don't disturb" (in terms of interference), you can use 邪魔しないで.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is formed by adding ください to the negative te-form of a verb to create a polite request.
How do you pronounce it?
okosanaide kudasai
Did you know?
- The word 邪魔 is often used as a standalone exclamation, 邪魔！, meaning 'get out of my way' or 'you are in the way'.
- In an office setting, using 邪魔しないで to a superior is considered extremely rude, even if the relationship is friendly, because it implies the other person is a 'nuisance'.
- The word 邪魔 (jama) used in the alternative phrase often refers to an obstacle or an obstruction in one's path.
Examples in context
- 部屋に入らないでください！邪魔しないで！Please don't enter the room! Do not disturb!
- ちょっと静かにしてください。勉強しているんです。Please be quiet for a moment. I'm studying.
- まだ眠いので、起こさないでください。Mada nemui node, okosanaide kudasai.I am still sleepy, so please do not disturb me.
- 今は寝ているので、起こさないでください。Ima wa nete iru node, okosanaide kudasai.I am sleeping now, so please do not disturb me.
Example conversation
Hiyori is about to take a nap in the living room.
- 陽葵 Himariちょっと眠いので、起こさないでください。Chotto nemui node, okosanaide kudasai.I'm a bit sleepy, so please do not disturb me.
- 健太 Kentaわかったよ。ゆっくり休んでね。Wakatta yo. Yukkuri yasunde ne.Got it. Get some good rest.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、健太くん。Arigatou, Kenta-kun.Thank you, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta静かにしておくね。Shizuka ni shite oku ne.I'll keep it quiet.
