なさい

JLPT Level: N4
Meanings

command to do

imperative instruction

tell someone to do something (soft imperative)

Usage

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

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.
宿題を終えなさい。
しゅくだいをおえなさい。

Finish your homework.

先生の話をよく聞きなさい。
せんせいのはなしをよくききなさい。

Listen carefully to the teacher's talk.

早く起きなさい。
はやくおきなさい。

Wake up quickly.

来なさい。
きなさい。

Come here.

食べなさい。
たべなさい。

Eat.