～な
Strong “don’t do that!”
You’ll be able to recognize this blunt prohibition and understand its strong, forceful tone.
ここで走るな。
koko de hashiru na.
What do you think this sentence means?
Don’t run here.
Recognize a strong direct prohibition
Putting な directly after a dictionary-form verb creates a strong command meaning “Don’t…!” It can sound forceful or rough, so learners should recognize it before using it freely.
触るな！
sawaru na!
Don’t touch it!
Dictionary-form verb + な
Attach な directly to the dictionary form. Do not confuse this with the な used after a な-adjective.
入るな！
hairu na!
Don’t enter!
動くな！
ugoku na!
Don’t move!
見るな！
miru na!
Don’t look!
ここで走るな。
koko de hashiru na.
Don't run here.
それに触るな。
sore ni sawaru na.
Don't touch that.
まだ帰るな。
mada kaeru na.
Don't go home yet.
11 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.