そんなこと言わないで
sonna koto iwanaide
In Japanese, "stop saying that" is expressed as そんなこと言わないで (sonna koto iwanaide).
This phrase is used when someone is making a comment that is hurtful, repetitive or inappropriate for the situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into そんなこと (that kind of thing) and 言わないで (don't say).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter 言うなよ as a colloquial version used between friends or acquaintances. For a much more aggressive and blunt effect, particularly in masculine speech, the form そんなこと言うな can be used to command someone to stop.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form そんなこと言わないで is casual and suitable for friends, family or people of equal social standing. For a polite request to someone to stop saying something, use 言わないでください.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can increase the politeness of the request by adding ください to the end, resulting in そんなこと言わないでください. Conversely, the form iu na in そんなこと言うな acts as a blunt, masculine or commanding way to say "don't say."
How do you pronounce it?
sonna koto iwanaide
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, そんなこと言わないで can be used as a flirtatious response to a compliment, essentially meaning 'stop it, you're making me blush'.
- In many social situations, Japanese speakers might avoid saying 'stop' directly and instead use silence or non-verbal cues to signal that a comment is inappropriate.
- While 言うな is a command to stop speaking, the ending particle よ in 言うなよ softens the blow, transforming a harsh order into a plea or a friendly nudge.
Examples in context
- 友達にはもうそれを言わないでと何度も頼んだ。I have repeatedly asked my friend not to say that.
- あんなことを言わないでくれましたら、とても嬉しいです。I would be very happy if you could refrain from saying such things.
- そんなこと言わないで。Sonna koto iwanaide.Stop saying that.
- もう、そんなこと言わないでよ。Mou, sonna koto iwanaide yo.Geez, stop saying that.
- 今はそんなこと言わないでください。Ima wa sonna koto iwanaide kudasai.Please don't say that right now.
Example conversation
Kenta is teasing Yui about a mistake she made.
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、そんなこと言わないで！Kenta-kun, sonna koto iwanaide!Kenta, stop saying that!
- 健太 Kentaごめん、冗談だよ。Gomen, joudan dayo.Sorry, I was just joking.
- 結衣 Yui本当に嫌だよ。Hontou ni iya dayo.I really don't like it.
- 健太 Kentaわかった、もう言わないね。Wakatta, mou iwanai ne.Okay, I won't say it anymore.
