Before starting the exercise for command form 「なさい」「ろ」「な」, please clarify any doubts you may have about the grammatical rules by referring to your grammar guidebook or dictionary. The Instantaneous Composition Method requires you to compose sentences with the target sentence pattern(s) over and over in order to use them almost effortlessly. You should already have the necessary knowledge.
- Reference
- Genki II – Lesson 22: Verb stem + なさい
- Tae Kim’s Guide – Making Requests (last part)
Instantaneous Composition Exercise for Command Form 「なさい」「ろ」「な」
This is not a translation exercise. This is the Instantaneous Composition Exercise. As if a reflexive action, try to create an equivalent Japanese sentence shortly after reading an English script. Try not to think for more than three seconds.
- Audio File
English and Hidden Japanese Scripts
1. | Go to bed. |
寝なさい。 |
2. | Be serious. (lit. make it serious.) |
真面目にしなさい。 |
3. | Be polite. (lit. make it polite.) |
丁寧にしなさい。 |
4. | Eat more. |
もっと食べろ。 |
5. | Pay attention to (it). |
注意しろ。 |
6. | Come early. |
早く来い。 |
7. | Use this. |
これを使え。 |
8. | Don’t go. |
行くな。 |
9. | Don’t wait. |
待つな。 |
10. | Don’t help. |
手伝うな。 |
Note
「なさい」 is the most polite expression of the command forms.
Recommended Links
How to Proceed with the Instantaneous Composition Method

Japanese Grammar Exercise: Causative Form 「させる」

Japanese Grammar: Expressing “Just” & “Only” 「だけ」「しか…ない」