You already know the polite request 〜てください. Japanese also has a direct command form, used by parents, coaches, signs and manga heroes, and a matching "don't" form. It is rough, so you will mostly recognise it, but 〜なさい is softer and very common between parents, teachers and children.
Ichidan and irregular commands
For ichidan verbs replace る with ろ: 食べる→食べろ. The irregulars are する→しろ and 来る→来い (read こい). The verb くれる→くれ and いる→いろ follow the same rule.
Godan commands: the last sound moves to the え-row
For godan verbs change the final sound to the え-row: く→け, ぐ→げ, す→せ, つ→て, ぬ→ね, ぶ→べ, む→め, る→れ, う→え.
Prohibition: dictionary form + な
To say "don't", put な after the dictionary form: 行くな, 食べるな, するな. It is strong, so you will mostly hear it as a warning or see it on signs. The polite way to say the same is 〜ないでください (Lesson 87).
Softer commands: 〜なさい
Add なさい to the stem (the ます form without ます): 食べなさい, 書きなさい. Parents, teachers and exam instructions use it. It is firm but not rude, and is not used toward superiors.
Commands in the real world
You will meet these forms on signs and in warnings. They are usually short, and some drop the verb entirely using a noun: 禁止 (prohibited). Learn to recognise them even if you never use them.
Command Forms Cheat Sheet
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ichidan: る → ろ | command | 食べろ たべろ eat! |
| Godan: u → e | command | 行け・飲め・買え いけ・のめ・かえ go, drink, buy |
| する・来る | irregular | しろ・来い しろ・こい do, come |
| Dictionary + な | do not… | 行くな いくな don't go |
| Stem + なさい | do… (firm, softer) | 食べなさい たべなさい eat up |
Tips & Common Mistakes
Common Mistake: Using the command form to ask a favour. 手伝え is an order. To ask, say 手伝ってください.
Common Mistake: Forming a godan command like an ichidan one, e.g. 行くろ. Godan verbs use the え-row: 行け.
Tip: The command is the grammar behind everyday words such as 頑張れ (go for it) and おかえり (welcome home, from お帰りなさい).
Tip: As a learner you rarely need to speak the command form. Recognise it first, and use 〜てください and 〜ないでください yourself.
Lesson Summary
Ichidan
早く起きろ！
る→ろ
Godan
早く行け！
Move to the え-row.
Prohibition
そこに行くな！
Dictionary + な.
Softer
手を洗いなさい。
Stem + なさい.