～なさい
Give a firm but familiar instruction
You'll be able to recognize and use a command common from parents, teachers, and authority figures.
手を洗いなさい。
te o arainasai.
What do you think this sentence means?
Wash your hands.
Give a firm instruction
～なさい is a direct instruction often used by parents or teachers to children. It is less blunt than a bare imperative but is not a general polite request to adults or superiors.
名前を書きなさい。
namae o kakinasai.
Write your name.
Form and use ～なさい
Use 食べなさい, 書きなさい, しなさい, and 来なさい (きなさい). Remove ます before adding なさい. The speaker must have a suitable relationship or instructional role.
名前を書きなさい。
namae o kakinasai.
Write your name.
早く寝なさい。
hayaku nenasai.
Go to bed early.
もう十時だから、ゲームをやめなさい。
mou juuji da kara, geemu o yamenasai.
It's already ten o'clock, so stop playing games.
外から帰ったら、すぐ着替えなさい。
soto kara kaettara, sugu kigaenasai.
When you come home, change your clothes right away.
肉ばかり食べないで、野菜もちゃんと食べなさい。
niku bakari tabenaide, yasai mo chanto tabenasai.
Don't eat only meat. Eat your vegetables properly, too.
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