禁止形（V 辞書形 + な） (kinshikei (V jishokei + na)) — Prohibitive form — do not do it
Add な to the dictionary form to make a hard "do not do it".
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
To make the prohibitive, add な to the dictionary form (辞書形) — that is all. 行く → 行くな. 入る → 入るな. 吸う → 吸うな. 食べる → 食べるな. する → するな. 来る → 来るな. The rule is the same for every group, so the prohibitive is easier to build than the imperative. Careful: this な is not the な that follows a ます form (行きな = "go on, go"); only な after the dictionary form means a ban. Its polite version is 「〜ないで ください」, and that is what you use in everyday conversation.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
ここに 入るな。
koko ni hairu na.
Do not enter here.
写真を 撮るな。
shashin o toru na.
Do not take photos.
ここで たばこを 吸うな。
koko de tabako o suu na.
Do not smoke here.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Question: 1/3What is the prohibitive form of 「使います」(to use)?
💡 Hint: Make the dictionary form first: 使います → 使う.
使う + な = 使うな. Never attach な to the ます form.
To turn 「食べます」into a hard "do not eat!", which one is right?
💡 Hint: Make the dictionary form first: 食べます → 食べる.
な always attaches to the dictionary form: 食べる + な = 食べるな. Careful — 食べな is the other な, the one after a ます stem, and it means "go on, eat", not a ban.
When you speak straight to a person at work, which one should you say?
💡 Hint: The な form belongs on signs and in angry speech.
「入るな」carries no politeness — it belongs on a sign. When speaking to a person, always say 「入らないで ください」.「入れ」is the imperative, and 「入りなさい」tells them to go in — the opposite meaning.
Your score: /3