N4112/179

なさい

Vます形の語幹 + なさい来る → 来なさいする → しなさい来る → 来なさい行く → 行きなさい食べる → 食べなさい読みます → 読みなさい (exception)V-る can't become なさい; use stem + なさい

Meanings

command to do
imperative instruction
tell someone to do something (soft imperative)

About this pattern

Explanation

なさい is a polite yet firm imperative used to tell someone to do something. It is stronger than a simple request but softer than a direct plain imperative. It is commonly used by parents, teachers, or older authority figures toward children or students, and can appear in written instructions or traditional-style language. The form attaches to the masu-stem of verbs (the form just before ます) to create the command. It can also appear as a fixed expression with 来る and する (来なさい, しなさい). It is not typically used among peers or in casual everyday conversation without a sense of authority.

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