Translation guide
The English contraction "don't" is used to form negative imperatives, negative statements, and negative questions. In Japanese, there is no single equivalent; the translation depends on the grammatical function. This guide covers the main uses: negative commands, negative present-tense statements, and negative questions.
Telling someone not to do something.
Polite negative request. Attach to the negative stem of a verb (the ない-form without ない).
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please don't take pictures here.
Casual negative request. Used among friends or family.
行かないで。
Don't go.
Strong, blunt negative command. Often used by men or in prohibitions on signs.
触るな。
Don't touch.
Formal prohibition. Often used in rules or by authority figures.
ここでタバコを吸ってはいけません。
You must not smoke here. (Don't smoke here.)
Casual prohibition. ちゃ is contraction of ては; じゃ is contraction of では.
食べちゃだめ！
Don't eat that!
Saying that someone does not do something.
Plain negative form of a verb. Used in casual speech or in relative clauses.
私は肉を食べない。
I don't eat meat.
Polite negative form. Used in formal situations.
私は肉を食べません。
I don't eat meat. (polite)
Asking a negative question, often to invite or confirm.
Casual negative question. Often used to invite someone to do something.
一緒に行かない？
Won't you come with me? (Don't you want to go together?)
Polite negative invitation.
一緒に行きませんか？
Won't you come with me? (polite)
English 'don't' is a contraction of 'do not', but Japanese does not have an auxiliary verb 'do'. The negative is formed by conjugating the main verb. Avoid word-for-word translation.
The form you choose depends on the relationship. ないでください is safe for most situations. ないで is casual. るな is very direct and can be rude. てはいけません is formal and often used in rules.