Translation guide
The English imperative is used for commands, requests, instructions, and suggestions. Japanese has multiple ways to express these, ranging from harsh commands to polite requests. The choice depends on social context, politeness, and the relationship between speaker and listener.
Giving a direct order to someone of equal or lower status, or in informal situations. Can sound harsh if used inappropriately.
The plain imperative form. For godan verbs, change the final -u to -e (e.g., 行く → 行け). For ichidan verbs, replace -る with -ろ (e.g., 食べる → 食べろ). This is very direct and can be rude; used among close friends, in emergencies, or in masculine speech.
Negative imperative: 'Don't do V'. Attach な to the dictionary form of the verb. Also very direct and potentially rude.
The te-form can be used as a casual imperative, especially for requests or instructions. Softer than the plain imperative but still informal.
Asking someone to do something politely. Appropriate for most daily interactions with strangers, acquaintances, or superiors.
Standard polite request: 'Please do V'. Use the te-form of the verb plus ください. Safe for most situations.
ここに名前を書いてください。
Please write your name here.
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment.
Giving step-by-step instructions, recipes, or directions. Often uses plain forms or specific patterns.
Also used for polite instructions, such as in manuals or when guiding someone.
右に曲がってください。
Please turn right.
In written instructions (e.g., recipes, manuals), the masu-stem alone can be used as a concise imperative. Common in formal or technical writing.
Softly urging someone to do something, making a suggestion, or encouraging action.
'How about doing V?' or 'Why don't you V?'. A common way to make a suggestion. Can be shortened to V-たら？ in casual speech.
少し休んだらどうですか。
Why don't you rest a bit?
彼に聞いてみたら？
Why not ask him?
Expressing that something must not be done, often with a sense of obligation or rule.
'You must not V' or 'It's not allowed to V'. The standard way to express prohibition. Can be made polite as V-てはいけません.
ここで遊んではいけません。
You must not play here.
Casual prohibition: 'Don't V' or 'V is no good'. Stronger and more direct than ～てはいけない in casual speech.
Quoting a command or request indirectly.
'Tell someone to do V'. Use the dictionary form + ように + 言う (or other communication verbs). This is the standard way to report an imperative.
彼に早く来るように言ってください。
Please tell him to come quickly.
'Tell someone not to do V'. Use dictionary form + な + と言う.
English imperatives like 'Sit down' or 'Come here' can sound extremely rude if directly translated into Japanese using the plain imperative form (座れ, 来い). Always consider the relationship and use appropriate politeness levels. When in doubt, use ～てください or a softer request form.
座ってください。
Please sit down.
The plain imperative (行け) is for close friends, emergencies, or when giving orders in hierarchical settings (e.g., military, sports). The ～て form (行って) is a casual request. ～てください is a polite request. ～ていただけませんか is a very polite request. Choose based on the social distance and situation.
In English imperatives, 'you' is often implied. In Japanese, using the person's name or title can soften the command and make it more personal. For example, 'Ken, please come here' → 健さん、ちょっと来てください。
Polite negative request: 'Please don't do V'. Use the nai-form minus い plus でください.
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please don't take photos here.
タバコを吸わないでください。
Please don't smoke.
A polite request asking if someone would do something for you. Literally 'Won't you do V for me?'. More indirect and considerate than ～てください.
窓を開けてくれませんか。
Would you open the window?
Very polite request, humble form. Used when asking a superior or customer. Literally 'Could I possibly receive the favor of you doing V?'.
少々お待ちいただけませんか。
Could you please wait a moment?
ボタンを押し、電源を入れます。
Press the button and turn on the power.
野菜を洗い、切ります。
Wash the vegetables and cut them.
Used in rules or prohibitions, often on signs. 'Do V' or 'You must V'. The dictionary form + こと acts as a strong instruction.
廊下を走らないこと。
Do not run in the hallway.
'You should V' or 'It would be good if you V'. Gives advice or a suggestion. Often used with のに for regret.
もっと早く来ればよかった。
I should have come earlier.
Polite volitional form used for 'Let's V'. Can also be a polite imperative in some contexts, like a doctor saying 'Let's take a deep breath'.
始めましょう。
Let's begin.
そんなこと言っちゃだめ。
Don't say things like that.
Archaic/literary prohibition: 'Thou shalt not V'. Seen on old signs or in formal writing. Attach to dictionary form.
立ち入るべからず。
Do not enter.
The teacher told us not to be late.