How to Say “Don’t” in Japanese with ～ないでください & ～ないでちょうだい

How to Say “Don’t” in Japanese with ～ないでください &
～ないでちょうだい

Previously, we learned how to use ～てください to
make polite requests. Now, let’s explore how to ask someone
not to do something in Japanese.

To say “don’t (do something)”, we use the
negative form of verbs. If you’re unfamiliar with
negative conjugation, it’s best to review it first before diving into
this lesson.

1. Using ～ないでください (nai de kudasai) – Polite Negative
Requests

This structure is used to politely ask someone
not to do something.

Grammar Pattern:

✅ Negative verb form + で + ください

Examples:

• なかないでください – nakanai de kudasai:
  Please don’t cry.
• このほんをよまないでください –
  kono hon o yomanai de kudasai: Please don’t read this book.
• ここでしゃしんをとらないでください –
  koko de shashin o toranai de kudasai: Please don’t take
  pictures here.
• にほんごで はなさないでください –
  nihongo de hanasanai de kudasai: Please don’t speak in
  Japanese.
• えきで たばこを すわないでください –
  eki de tabako o suwanai de kudasai: Please don’t smoke at
  the station.

This form is commonly used in
public signs, announcements, and formal settings.

2. Using ～ないでちょうだい (nai de choudai) – Casual Negative
Requests

Similar to ～ないでください, but this form is more
casual and often used by women.

Grammar Pattern:

✅ Negative verb form + で + ちょうだい

Examples:

• おみやげを わすれないでちょうだいね –
  omiyage o wasurenai de choudai ne: Don’t forget the
  souvenir, okay?
• ここでまってないでちょうだい –
  koko de mattenai de choudai: Don’t wait here.
• わたしのけいたいを つかわないでちょうだい –
  watashi no keitai o tsukawanai de choudai: Don’t use my
  phone.
• すっぴんのわたしを みないでちょうだい –
  suppin no watashi o minai de choudai: Don’t look at me when
  I have no makeup!

💡 Difference between ください and ちょうだい:

• ください sounds
  polite and neutral.
• ちょうだい is
  casual and often feminine.

3. Shortened Form ～ないで (nai de) – Common in
Conversations

In daily speech, ないでください is
often shortened to just ないで.

Examples:

• なかないで – nakanai de: Don’t cry.
• わたしにさわらないで –
  watashi ni sawaranai de: Don’t touch me.
• おねがい、いかないで – onegai, ikanai de:
  Please, don’t go.
• はずかしい。わたしをみないで –
  hazukashii. Watashi o minai de: I’m embarrassed. Don’t look
  at me.

💡
This form is common in dramas and everyday conversations.

Comparison Table: Saying “Don’t” in Japanese

Type	Structure	Example	Meaning
Polite	Negative verb + で + ください	ここでしゃしんをとらないでください	Please don’t take photos here.
Casual	Negative verb + で + ちょうだい	わたしのけいたいをつかわないでちょうだい	Don’t use my phone.
Shortened	Negative verb + で	なかないで	Don’t cry.

Vocabulary List

Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji	Meaning
泣く	なく	naku	To cry
話す	はなす	hanasu	To speak
読む	よむ	yomu	To read
触る	さわる	sawaru	To touch
行く	いく	iku	To go
吸う	すう	suu	To smoke
待つ	まつ	matsu	To wait
撮る	とる	toru	To take (photos)
見る	みる	miru	To see
忘れる	わすれる	wasureru	To forget

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to politely or casually ask someone
not to do something in Japanese!

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Use ～ないでください for
  formal and polite speech.
• Use ～ないでちょうだい for
  casual, often feminine speech.
• Use ～ないで for
  everyday conversation.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Share this lesson with
others who are learning Japanese. Happy studying! 😊