自分の部屋に行きなさい
jibun no heya ni ikinasai
The phrase "go to your room" in Japanese is translated as 自分の部屋に行きなさい (jibun no heya ni ikinasai).
This phrase is used specifically as a disciplinary command to send a child to their room to reflect or as a punishment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 自分の部屋に行きなさい literally breaks down into jibun (one's own), no (possessive particle), heya (room), ni (to/towards) and ikinasai (the commanding form of go).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 自分の部屋に行きなさい uses the -nasai ending, which is a standard, authoritative way to issue a directive. While directed at a child, it is a standard authoritative command rather than a slangy or aggressive one. In contrast, 部屋に行け is an informal way to command someone to go to their room.
How do you pronounce it?
jibun no heya ni ikinasai
Did you know?
- While this phrase exists in translation, sending a child to their room is not a traditional Japanese disciplinary practice, as many children historically shared a single sleeping area using futon mats.
- In Japanese households, the idea of 'reflecting' on one's actions is often expressed as hansei, and a parent might command a child to 'do hansei' rather than just focusing on the physical act of moving to a room.
- The aggressive version heya ni ike is a popular trope in anime and manga. It is used by writers to instantly signal that a character has lost their temper and is in a state of extreme rage.
Examples in context
- 自分の部屋に行きなさい。jibun no heya ni ikinasai.Go to your room.
- もう、自分の部屋に行きなさい！mou, jibun no heya ni ikinasai!Enough, go to your room!
- 喧嘩をやめて、自分の部屋に行きなさい。kenka o yamete, jibun no heya ni ikinasai.Stop fighting and go to your room.
Example conversation
A father is disciplining his daughter after she broke a vase.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、どうしてこんなことをしたの？Yui, dōshite konna koto o shita no?Yui, why did you do this?
- 結衣 Yuiわざとじゃなかったもん。Wazato janakatta mon.I didn't do it on purpose.
- 蓮 Ren言い訳はやめて、自分の部屋に行きなさい。Iiwake wa yamete, jibun no heya ni ikinasai.Stop making excuses and go to your room.
- 結衣 Yuiもう！嫌だ！Mō! Iya da!Geez! I don't want to!
