嘘つかないで
uso tsukanaide
To say "stop lying" in Japanese, you use 嘘つかないで (uso tsukanaide).
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to be honest and to stop telling falsehoods. You can add the particle よ to the end of 嘘つかないで to create 嘘つかないでよ, which adds emotional emphasis, often used when expressing frustration or disbelief.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 嘘 (uso) means 'lie' or 'falsehood'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 嘘をつかないでください or 嘘を言わないでください are formal ways to say "please do not tell lies" or "please do not lie". The form 嘘をつくな is an informal and much harsher, more aggressive command often used in masculine or angry speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding ください to the end makes the command a polite request rather than a blunt command.
How do you pronounce it?
uso tsukanaide
Did you know?
- If you want to tell someone they are 'pulling your leg' rather than accusing them of a malicious lie, you might use the phrase 嘘を吐く (uso o tsuku), where the kanji for 'vomit' is used instead of 'say'.
- The concept of 本音 (honne) refers to one's true feelings, while 建前 (tatemae) is the 'facade' used in public, meaning some 'lies' are socially expected and not criticized.
- In casual conversation, 嘘 (uso) is often used as an exclamation meaning 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!' rather than as a command to stop lying.
Examples in context
- もう二度と嘘つかないでよ。Stop lying.This sentence is useful for expressing the command to stop lying with the form 嘘つかないで.Tatoeba #2994188 by tommy_san, translation #2111497 by CK
- 嘘を言わないでください。私はあなたの言葉を信じたいです。Please do not lie. I want to believe your words.
- 嘘をつかないでよ。友達なのに信じられないよ。Don't lie. I can't believe you, even though we are friends.
- そんなに嘘つかないでよ。Sonna ni uso tsukanaide yo.Don't lie like that.
Example conversation
Yui confronts Yota about a small white lie.
- 結衣 Yui本当のことを言って。Hontou no koto o itte.Tell me the truth.
- 陽太 Yota別に嘘はついてないよ。Betsu ni uso wa tsuite nai yo.I'm not lying or anything.
- 結衣 Yuiもう、嘘つかないで。Mou, uso tsukanaide.Geez, stop lying.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった、ごめん。Wakatta, gomen.Alright, I'm sorry.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
