な

also: なあ

な

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 100

Meanings

particle

don't

Only with reading な

Prohibitive particle attached to the dictionary form of a verb. Strong, direct negative command.

ここに入はいるな。
Don't come in here.
そんなこと言いうな。
Don't say that.

particle

abbreviation

Only with reading な

Abbreviation of なさい. Attached to the -masu stem of a verb to form a soft imperative. Often used in casual speech, especially by parents or teachers.

Usage patterns

〈動どう詞し〉なdon't do 〈verb〉 (strong prohibition)
危あぶないから、そこに行いくな。
Don't go there, it's dangerous.
な、〈事こと〉hey, listen to this
な、ちょっと聞きいてくれよ。
Hey, listen to this for a sec.
〈形けい容よう詞し〉なあhow ~! (admiration or deep feeling)
この景色けしき、きれいだなあ。
Wow, this view is beautiful.

Grammar

Related words

ね sense 4
な and ね both seek agreement or add emphasis at the end of a sentence, but な has a rougher, more masculine feel (or is the Kansai-dialect equivalent of ね) while ね is the neutral standard form.
かなN1
哉 is an archaic sentence-ending particle of exclamation found only in classical texts, while なあ is the modern colloquial particle used to express similar emotion or emphasis in everyday speech.
のう
なあ expresses similar reflective emphasis but sounds more casually emotive, whereas のう has a softer, rustic, old-fashioned feel.
ぜ
な can also end a sentence with casual emphasis or self-directed feeling, but it lacks the confident, assertive punch that ぜ carries.

Politeness

なさいpolite 丁寧語sense 2
な is the blunt, casual abbreviation used with the -masu stem, while なさい is the fuller, more polite imperative form it comes from.

Written forms

なUsage77%
Standard kana spelling for all senses.
なぁUsage11%
- なぁ
- なあ
  Lengthened variant with small ぁ, used in casual or emotive writing.
なあUsage9%
Lengthened variant, often used for emphasis or emotional expression.
なーUsage2%
- なー
- なあ
  Lengthened variant with long-vowel mark, common in casual writing.
ナUsage<1%
ナーUsage<1%
ナァUsage<1%
ナアUsage<1%

Etymology

The prohibitive な is a native Japanese particle. The imperative な is a contraction of なさい. The interjection and sentence-final particles are native developments with uncertain precise origins.