What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 誰も, which literally means 'anyone' but translates to 'no one' when paired with a negative verb. 信じる, the dictionary form of the verb meaning 'to believe' or 'to trust'. And the particle な, which is attached to the end of a dictionary-form verb to create a strong negative command.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
誰も信じるな is an informal, blunt and forceful command often found in fiction or dramatic warnings. For a more polite way to express the prohibition 'you must not trust anyone', use 誰も信じてはいけません. Additionally, the informal phrase 誰も信じちゃ駄目だ can be used to mean 'it's no good believing anyone'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To create a strong negative command, the particle な is attached to the end of a verb in its dictionary form, as seen in 誰も信じるな.
How do you pronounce it?
dare mo shinjiru na
Did you know?
- The polite version 信じてはいけません uses the auxiliary いけません, which literally describes something that 'cannot go' or 'will not move forward'.
- The command form ending in な is so blunt that using it in real life with a stranger or superior would be considered a severe social offense or an act of aggression.
- The word 信じる comes from a root meaning 'faith' or 'belief', but it is often used interchangeably with 信じられない, which can mean both 'I cannot believe it' (surprise) and 'I cannot trust them' (suspicion).
Examples in context
- 誰も信用するな。商談は慎重に進めましょうDon't trust anyone. Let's proceed with the negotiations carefully.
- 誰も信じちゃ駄目だよ。みんな裏切るかもしれないDon't believe anyone. Everyone might betray you.
- 誰も信じるな、という映画を見た。Dare mo shinjiru na, to iu eiga o mita.I saw a movie that said trust no one.
- この世界では、誰も信じるな。Kono sekai de wa, dare mo shinjiru na.In this world, trust no one.
- 誰も信じるなという教訓に従う。Dare mo shinjiru na to iu kyōkun ni shitagau.I follow the lesson to trust no one.
Example conversation
A tense moment in a detective drama.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、この街では誰も信じるな。Kenta, kono machi de wa dare mo shinjiru na.Kenta, trust no one in this town.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、それは極端すぎるよ。Misaki, sore wa kyokutan sugiru yo.Misaki, that is too extreme.
- 美咲 Misaki裏切りは突然やってくるわ。Uragiri wa totsuzen yatte kuru wa.Betrayal comes out of nowhere.
- 健太 Kenta分かった、気を付けるよ。Wakatta, ki o tsukeru yo.Understood, I will be careful.
