ふざけるな
fuzakeruna
The Japanese phrase for "stop playing" is ふざけるな (fuzakeruna).
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to stop acting foolishly or stop joking around.
Which one should you use?
ふざけるな is a harsh, blunt command. In contrast, ふざけないで is a softer, more polite way to say "please don't joke around."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ふざけるな is highly informal and rough. It can sound aggressive or angry, often used in heated arguments or among very close male friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form is a negative imperative. It is created by attaching the suffix な to the dictionary form of a verb, which creates a strong, prohibitive command.
How do you pronounce it?
fuzakeruna
Did you know?
- If you were to use ふざけるな toward a superior or a teacher, it would be considered a massive social transgression, potentially viewed as a physical provocation rather than just a verbal one.
- Because the phrase is so blunt, it is often used in Japanese comedy (manzai) as a 'tsukkomi' or straight-man reaction to a partner's ridiculous behavior.
- In anime and manga, characters often shorten this phrase to ふざけんな by clipping the 'ru' sound, which makes the command sound even more aggressive and street-like.
Examples in context
- A: ゲームをやめてよ！(Geemu o yamete yo!)
B: わかったよ、ごめん。(Wakatta yo, gomen.)A: "Stop playing the game!"
B: "Alright, sorry." - A: ギターを弾くのをやめてください。(Gita- o hiku no o yamete kudasai.)
B: わかりました、すみません。(Wakarimashita, sumimasen.)A: "Please stop playing the guitar."
B: "Understood, I'm sorry." - ふざけるな！fuzakeruna!Stop messing around!
- ふざけるな、真面目にやってくれ。fuzakeruna, majime ni yatte kure.Stop playing, be serious.
Example conversation
Yota is playing a prank on Himari in the living room.
- 陽葵 Himariちょっと、ふざけるな！Chotto, fuzakeruna!Hey, stop playing around!
- 陽太 Yota冗談だよ。Jōdan dayo.It's just a joke.
- 陽葵 Himari全然面白くないから。Zenzen omoshirokunai kara.Because it's not funny at all.
- 陽太 Yotaわかったよ、ごめん。Wakatta yo, gomen.I get it, sorry.
