Let's talk using the "nai" form! / Japanese Learning Support LLC | blog

Let's try speaking using the nai form.

Today we will learn how to form verbless sentences and sentence structures.

First, let's learn how to make non-existent shapes and the order in which to remember them.

Step 1: Divide the verbs into three groups

Step 2: First, learn the forms of simple verbs that do not have groups 2 and 3.

Step 3: Memorize the verb-free forms of group 1

Step 1: Divide the verbs into three groups

What kind of verbs are there in Japanese?

For example, eat, drink, go, come, sleep, wake up, do, study, etc.

These can be divided into three groups:

We have explained in detail how to group verbs in our previous blog, "Let's talk using the te form!", so if you don't know how to group verbs yet, please check out this blog first!

https://nihongojikan.jp/blog/20240929-4308/

Step 2: First, learn the forms of simple verbs that do not have groups 2 and 3.

Start by learning the two easiest groups of verb-less forms.

Eat → Don't eat

Stop → Don't stop

I will check → I won't check

I will watch → I won't watch

Yes → No

What changes are there?

That's right. For verbs in group 2, you just add "nai" to the masu form without the "masu".

For example, the masu form of "taberumasu" changes to "taberumasu" → "taberu nai."

The same goes for other verbs.

Now let's learn three groups of verbs.

Will come → Won't come

Yes → No

I will study → I won't study

Group 3 verbs are irregular, so just memorize them as they are.

In particular, please note that the reading of the kanji "kisu" (to come) is different to "konai" (not to come).

Step 3: Memorize the verb-free forms of group 1

The verbs in group 1 may seem a little complicated, but once you remember the rules they're not that difficult, so make sure you remember the rules.

I will go → I won't go i → a

Drink → Don't drink

Write → Don't write

Speak → Don't speak

I will wait → I won't wait

I will sit → I won't sit

What changes are occurring?

For verbs in group 1, change the sound "i" before "masu" to "a" and add "nai".

For example, if you say "ikimasu" (I'm going), you change the "ki" sound before "masu" to "ka" and add "nai" to make it "wanai" (I won't go).

The same goes for other verbs.

Now let's practice!

Questions will be given by mixing verbs from groups 1 to 3.

Please reshape it so that it is not in the wrong shape.

Shall I go → ?

Will you watch it →?

Would you like to drink → ?

Do you → ?

Are you going home → ?

Let me check → ?

Shall I talk → ?

Will you wait? → ?

Are you coming → ?

Stop → ?

Go to sleep → ?

Will you study? → ?

Shall I sit down → ?

answer

Don't go, don't watch, don't drink, don't do, don't go home, don't check, don't talk, don't wait, don't come, don't stop, don't sleep, don't study, don't sit

Now, let's learn some grammar using the "nai form."

First, let's look at the conversation.

(At part-time job)

Senior: Mr. XX, what are you doing?

Junior: Ah, senior. I'm studying for the JLPT now.

Senior: I see. So you study during your breaks at your part-time job too.

Junior: Yes, the test is next week, but I also have to submit my school report tomorrow...

Senior: That's tough.

Junior: Yes, I'm planning to stay up tonight and study and do my homework until the morning.

Senior: Well, I'll clean and tidy up in front of the store today, so you don't have to do it, Mr. XX.

Junior: Eh, is that okay?

Senior: Yes, please go home early today and get some rest.

Junior: Thank you.

Senior: Don't be late for school tomorrow.

Junior: Yes, I understand!

There are several sentences that do not have this form.

Let's take a look at each one.

● Must

In the body of the message, you said, "I also have to submit a report for school tomorrow."

"Must" means that you have to do something or you have an obligation to do it.

In English, it would be something like "must" or "have to."

The following grammar is also used with the same meaning:

The further down you go, the more casual the expression becomes.

・~Indispensable

・I have to

・I have to/can't

・I have to/can't do something

・~nai ka/~nai ka

Sample1 I have to pay my rent this week.

Sample2 You have to write your answers in pencil on the test.

Sample 3 I have to make dinner today.

Sample4 Do I have to wear a dress to the party?

You can use it like this:

Use the "nai" form of verbs.

Also, if you are asked a question like "Do you have to do this/don't you have to do that?" in Sample 4,

YES → Yes, ~ is a must.

NO → No, it's not necessary.

The answer is:

●Don't...

In the main text, you said, "Yes, I'm going to stay up tonight and study and do my homework until morning."

"Do B without A" means doing B without doing A.

In this case, you were studying without sleep.

Sample1 I didn't bring an umbrella today.

Sample2 I went to bed without taking a bath yesterday.

Sample3 Are you feeling unwell? Please take it easy and get some rest.

Sample 4 I wrote the composition myself without using a dictionary.

The grammar "without bringing an umbrella" is sometimes used, as in "I came without bringing an umbrella," which has the same meaning as "without bringing an umbrella."

●You don't need to

In the main text, it said, "You don't have to do it, Mr./Ms. XX."

This means that you don't have to do something, or you're not obligated to do something.

Sample1 Tomorrow is a holiday, so I don't have to get up early.

Sample2 It's forecast to be sunny today, so you probably don't need to bring an umbrella.

Sample3 You don't have to take off your shoes here.

Sample4: There's no need to force yourself.

Please do not do this.

The main text of the message said, "Please don't be late for school tomorrow."

"Please don't do this" is used when telling someone not to do something.

It means the opposite of "please do ~".

Sample1 Hey, please don't take pictures without permission.

Sample2 This is a display item, so please do not touch it.

Sample3 I'm studying for an exam, so don't make noise!

Sample4 I'm still watching the news, so please don't turn off the TV.

"Please don't do ~" can also be used in similar situations to "Don't do ~."

"You must not do ~" means that you are prohibited from doing ~ in that place or situation.

"Please do not do ~" is a grammar in which the speaker instructs the listener not to do something, so it contains the nuance that the speaker would dislike or be inconvenienced if the listener did so.

"You must not smoke here."

→It is prohibited to smoke here as a rule.

"Please don't smoke here."

→It would be a problem if you smoke here.

How was it?

Today, we introduced how to make the "nai form" and sentence patterns using the nai form.

Everyone, please review today's content carefully and try using the "nai form" in your everyday conversations!

That's all for today!

See you in the next blog.