Translation guide
The English phrase "do not" is used to form negative imperatives (commands not to do something) and negative statements in the present simple tense. In Japanese, negation is expressed through verb conjugations and sentence-ending patterns, not through a separate word like "do." This guide covers how to express prohibitions, negative commands, and negative statements naturally.
The speaker tells someone not to do something. This covers direct commands, polite requests, and strong prohibitions.
Polite negative request. Attach ないでください to the negative stem of a verb (the ない form without ない). This is the standard polite way to ask someone not to do something.
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please do not take photos here.
タバコを吸わないでください。
Please do not smoke.
Casual negative request. Used among friends, family, or in informal situations. Simply drop ください from the polite form.
そんなこと言わないで。
Don't say that.
泣かないで。
Don't cry.
Strong, direct negative command. Attach な to the dictionary form of a verb. This is very blunt and often used in urgent situations, by superiors, or in masculine speech. Can sound rude if used inappropriately.
Can be perceived as harsh or aggressive. Use only in close relationships or emergencies.
Expresses prohibition: "must not do" or "it's not allowed." The plain form is てはいけない, and the polite form is てはいけません. Often used in rules or when stating what is not permitted.
ここに駐車してはいけません。
You must not park here.
嘘をついてはいけない。
You must not tell lies.
Used in written rules, signs, or formal instructions. Attach こと to the negative plain form. It is a concise way to state prohibitions.
芝生に入らないこと。
Do not enter the lawn.
無断で使用しないこと。
Do not use without permission.
The speaker states that an action does not happen or a state does not exist. This covers present simple negation.
Polite negative form of a verb. Replace ます with ません. This is the standard polite way to say "do not [verb]" in non-past.
私は肉を食べません。
I do not eat meat.
彼は日本語を話しません。
He does not speak Japanese.
Plain negative form. Used in casual conversation, or in subordinate clauses. Conjugate the verb to its ない form.
Negative of the continuous/progressive form. Means "is not doing" or "has not done." Use ていない for casual, ていません for polite.
まだ宿題をやっていません。
I haven't done my homework yet.
彼は今働いていない。
He is not working now.
The speaker expresses a personal wish that someone not do something. Softer than a direct command.
Expresses "I don't want you to do X." Attach ないでほしい to the negative stem. It conveys a personal desire rather than a command.
もう嘘をつかないでほしい。
I don't want you to lie anymore.
そんなこと言わないでほしい。
I don't want you to say that.
The speaker seeks confirmation that something is not the case.
Used to confirm a negative assumption. でしょう is polite, だろう is plain/casual. Rising intonation.
明日は来ないでしょう？
You're not coming tomorrow, are you?
彼は知らないだろう？
He doesn't know, does he?
Casual way to ask "Don't you [verb]?" or "Aren't you going to [verb]?" Often used when surprised or seeking explanation.
English uses the auxiliary verb "do" to form negatives and questions. Japanese does not have an equivalent auxiliary. Instead, negation is built into the verb conjugation. Attempting to translate "do" as する (suru) in negative sentences will result in unnatural Japanese.
私は肉を食べません。
I do not eat meat.
When connecting negative clauses, ないで is used to mean "without doing" or to express a negative request/command. なくて is used to express a reason or cause ("because not"). Do not confuse them.
朝ごはんを食べないで学校に行った。
I went to school without eating breakfast.
朝ごはんを食べなくて、お腹が空いた。
I didn't eat breakfast, so I'm hungry.