Which one should you use?
While しないで is a common way to say "do not", other forms exist depending on the situation. してはいけません is a formal way to convey "do not" and is often used to emphasize rules or prohibitions. In contrast, するな is a much stronger, harsher and more masculine way to say "do not". If you want to say "stop it" or "quit it" among peers, you might use やめて.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
しないで is an informal way to say "do not" and is used in casual conversation with friends or family. However, it can sound blunt or rude if used with superiors. To make the command a polite request rather than a blunt command, you can use the polite form しないでください.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding kudasai to the end of shinaide transforms the phrase into the polite しないでください, which means "please do not".
How do you pronounce it?
shinaide
Did you know?
- While a learner might think しないで is always a request, its tone can change drastically based on the pitch of the final vowel, sometimes sounding like a desperate sob or a sharp, frustrated bark.
- When using してはいけません to describe a rule, the phrase literally translates closer to 'it is not acceptable to do', reflecting a cultural emphasis on social acceptability over a direct order.
- Japanese has a specific grammatical structure for prohibitions called 禁止形 'kinshikei', which is the basis for するな. This form is rarely used in spoken daily life except by people in positions of absolute authority.
Examples in context
- バカにしないで。Do not make fun of me.This sentence shows how to use しないで to tell someone not to make fun of you.Tatoeba #8521946 by small_snow, translation #7948105 by AlanF_US
- この例文を削除しないでください。Do not delete this example sentence.This example demonstrates the use of しないで in a request to not delete a sentence.Tatoeba #2927093 by arnab, translation #2582506 by ddnktr
- ※印の欄には記入しないでください。Please do not fill in fields marked with *.This sentence uses しないで to instruct someone not to fill in specific fields.Tatoeba #2950450 by tommy_san, translation #11740050 by pip
- タバコを吸わないでくださいPlease do not smoke
- 触れてはいけませんDo not touch
- それを食べないでDo not eat that
- それをやめてDo not do that
- 走らないでDo not run
- ここでは写真を撮らないでくださいPlease do not take photos here.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hina is asking Kenta not to eat her cake.
- 陽葵 Himari私のケーキを食べないで。Watashi no kēki o tabenaide.Please don't eat my cake.
- 健太 Kentaごめん、一口だけ食べたよ。Gomen, hitokuchi dake tabeta yo.Sorry, I just had one bite.
- 陽葵 Himariもうしないでね。Mō shinaide ne.Don't do that again, okay?
- 健太 Kentaわかった。もうしないよ。Wakatta. Mō shinai yo.I got it. I won't do it again.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
