なさい means do this; command. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express the N4 idea of “do this; command” in natural Japanese.
This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express the N4 idea of “do this; command” in natural Japanese, なさい is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics.
What does なさい mean?
Use なさい when you want to express the N4 idea of “do this; command” in natural Japanese.
Natural translations include:
- do this
- soft or firm command
- do this; command
How to form なさい
Examples of the pattern:
- Verb masu-stem + なさい
- Verb masu-stem
- なさい
When is なさい used?
Use なさい in situations like:
- explaining a condition, reason, decision, comparison, or time relationship
- making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern
Tone and register:
- neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions
なさい example sentences
Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, contrast, or emphasis.
Nuance of なさい
The key nuance is do this; command in a sentence-specific context.
This matters because なさい may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, a contrast, or a social relationship.
For example:
- In context, なさい helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation.
- Compared with てください, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences.
なさい vs てください
Both なさい and てください can appear in related sentences, but they are different.
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 早く寝なさい。 — Go to bed early.
- Related pattern with てください: compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, contrast, or politeness.
If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English.
Common mistakes with なさい
Is なさい on the JLPT?
Yes. なさい is connected to JLPT N4 grammar.
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for なさい
Learning path for なさい
Related grammar to review next
- 必要がある — need to do.
- が必要 — need; be necessary.
- な — do not do; prohibition.
- お～ください — please do; respectful request.
Learn なさい with Hane
If you want to review なさい together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about なさい
What does なさい (nasai) mean in Japanese?
なさい (nasai) means “do this; command”. It is JLPT N4 grammar. Use なさい when you want to express the N4 idea of “do this; command” in natural Japanese.
How do you form なさい (nasai)?
Verb masu-stem + なさい
What is an example sentence with なさい (nasai)?
早く寝なさい。 — Go to bed early.