なかれ

な

か

れ

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Literary or formal suffix attached to the dictionary form of a verb to express prohibition. Equivalent to ～てはいけない or ～な, but with a classical, often written, tone. Commonly seen in proverbs, formal admonitions, and set phrases.

「油ゆ断だんする勿なかれ」と注ちゅう意い書がきにあった。
The notice said, 'You must not be careless.'
「己おのれの欲ほっせざる所ところ、人ひとに施ほどこす勿なかれ」は論ろん語ごの言こと葉ばだ。
'Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself' is a saying from the Analects.

Expressions

鶏けい口こうとなるも牛ぎゅう後ごとなる勿なかれbetter to be the head of a small group than the tail of a large one; better to be a big fish in a small pond
己おのれの欲ほっせざる所ところは人ひとに施ほどこす勿なかれdo not do unto others what you would not have done unto you
過あやまちては則すなわち改あらたむるに憚はばかること勿なかれwhen you make a mistake, don't hesitate to correct it; do not delay in making amends for your wrongs

Kanji

勿not, must not, do not
莫must not, do not, be not
毋do not, must not, be not
无nothing, not exist, crooked heaven radical (no.71)
無nothingness, none, ain't

Related words

な
な is the modern colloquial prohibitive suffix (e.g., 行くな 'don't go'), while 勿れ is its classical, literary counterpart used in formal writing and set phrases.
てはいけない
～てはいけない is the standard modern way to express prohibition in everyday speech, whereas 勿れ is a single suffix attached directly to the verb stem with a classical flavor.

Written forms

勿なかれ
Standard kanji form for this suffix; usually written in kana.
莫なかれ
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
毋なかれ
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
无なかれ
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
無なかれ
irregular kanji usage
Irregular kanji usage; included for search coverage only.

Etymology

Derived from the imperative form of the classical adjective 無し (なし, 'not exist'). This origin.