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N5 · Lesson 17

The ない form

The plain negative form of the verb and its uses: don't do, you have to, you don't need to.

Grammar

The ない form

きます→かない / べます→べない / します→しない / ます→ない

In group I the syllable before ます changes from -i to -a and ない is added (きます → かない; います → わない). Group II swaps ます for ない (べない) and group III gives しない and ない.

Examples

  • To go → not to go / to drink → not to drink.

V ないで ください — "please don't"

V ない で ください

It asks someone not to do something: ここで らないでください. It can also show concern: しないでください (don't worry).

Examples

  • Please don't smoke here.

V なければ なりません — obligation

V (ない form) なければ なりません

It expresses obligation ("have to"), with no negative sense despite the form: まなければ なりません (I have to take the medicine).

Examples

  • I have to study kanji every day.

V なくても いいです — "you don't have to"

V (ない form) なくても いいです

It says the action isn't necessary: あした なくても いいです (you don't have to come tomorrow).

Examples

  • You don't have to hand in the report.

N は — making the object the topic

N は (topicalised object)

The object of the sentence can become the topic with は so you can talk about it: は ロッカーに れてください (as for your luggage, please put it in the locker).

Examples

  • Did you bring your insurance card?

N (time) までに V — deadline

time までに V

までに marks the deadline the action must happen by: までに さなければ なりません. Don't confuse it with まで (up until, continuously).

Examples

  • The meeting will be over by five.

Vocabulary

WordReadingMeaning
to memorise
to forget
to lose
to pay
to give back, to return
to go out
to take off (clothes, shoes)
to carry (something)
to bring (something)
to worry
to work overtime
to go on a business trip
to take [medicine]
to have [a bath]
important
to be fine, all right
dangerous
no smoking
[health] insurance card
fever
illness
medicine
bath
jacket
underwear
a few days
a few ~, two or three ~
before ~, by ~ (deadline)
so, therefore
what's the matter?
throat
my [~] hurts
a cold
and, besides
get well soon

See this lesson's vocabulary →

See also