JLPT N4 Grammar – Difference between “〜なさい” and “〜しろ”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜なさい” and “〜しろ”
2. 〜なさい
3. 〜しろ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: What is the difference between ”〜なさい” and ”〜しろ”?
A: Both are expressions that indicate a command, but ”〜なさい” is polite and softer, while ”〜しろ” is stronger and more direct. They differ in intensity and in the situations where they are used.
〜なさい (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
A polite form of command
[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + なさい
[Examples]
もう12時よ。早く寝なさい。
It’s already 12 o’clock. Go to bed quickly.
ここは車が多いから気をつけなさい。
There are many cars here, so be careful.
家に帰ったらまず手を洗いなさい。
When you get home, wash your hands first.
”なさい” is an imperative form, but it is a polite and softer way of speaking. It is often used in situations with hierarchy, such as from a parent to a child or from a teacher to a student.
It is also used in exam questions, not to show hierarchy but as an “instruction sentence.”
[Examples]
母「テレビを見る前に、宿題をしなさい。」
Mother: “Do your homework before you watch TV.”
父「部屋が汚いぞ。掃除しなさい。」
Father: “The room is dirty. Clean it up.”
（試験の指示文）正しい答えを1つ選びなさい。
(Exam instruction) Choose one correct answer.
〜しろ (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
An expression of command
[Rule]
[V] Group 1 verbs
Change [i/u] to the [e] row
言います / 言う ⇒ 言え 書きます / 書く ⇒ 書け 泳ぎます / 泳ぐ ⇒ 泳げ
[V] Group 2 verbs
Change ”ます / る” to ”ろ”
食べます / 食べる ⇒ 食べろ 見ます / 見る ⇒ 見ろ 起きます / 起きる ⇒ 起きろ
[V] Group 3 verbs
来ます / 来る ⇒ 来い します / する ⇒ しろ
[Examples]
うるさい！静かにしろ！
You’re noisy! Be quiet!
もう12時だぞ。早く寝ろ。
It’s already 12 o’clock. Go to bed quickly.
”しろ” is a stronger imperative form than ”なさい.” It is used more often by men than by women, and not only to give direct commands to someone but also in sentences that indicate warnings or cautions.
[Examples]
スポーツの監督：「遅いぞ！もっと早く走れ！」
Coach: “You’re too slow! Run faster!”
父：「ゲームばかりやらないで、勉強しろ。」
Father: “Stop playing games all the time and study!”
（けんかを仲裁して）もうやめろ！
(Breaking up a fight) Stop it!
Let’s Compare
Basically, ”なさい” is a polite and softer way of speaking, while ”しろ” is a stronger and more direct expression.
However, in practice, the nuance can change depending on the situation or context.
① In the case of a police command
When the police give orders to a suspect or an offender, both expressions can be used, but the tone is different.
[Example]
(To a speeding car)
① そこの黒い車、止まりなさい。
② そこの黒い車、止まれ。
Sentence 1 has a calm and composed tone, and is used when the officer wants to give instructions without confusing or provoking the driver.
Sentence 2 is a very strong command, sounding forceful and authoritative to the driver.
In reality, police officers often choose the first form.
② When combined with the sentence-ending particle ”よ”
Adding ”よ” can soften the nuance, making it sound more like a light suggestion or recommendation.
[Example]
① これ、おいしいよ。食べてみなさい。
② これ、おいしいよ。食べてみろよ。
When ”〜なさい” is followed by ”よ,” it becomes a gentler way of encouraging someone.
However, women generally do not use this form; instead, they say ”食べてみて（よ）.”
Even though ”〜なさい＋よ” is still grammatically an imperative, depending on the context, it can sound softer.
[Examples]
早く学校に行きなさいよ。
Hurry up and go to school.
もっと実家に帰って来なさいよ。
Come back home to your parents’ house more often.
Summary
[〜なさい]
- It is an imperative form, but a polite and softer way of speaking.
- It is often used in situations with a clear hierarchy, such as between parent and child or teacher and student.
- In exam questions, it is not used to show hierarchy but as an “instruction sentence.”
- It may also be used by the police in order not to provoke the other person.
[〜しろ]
- Stronger imperative form than ”なさい.”
- Used more often by men than by women.
- Not only for giving direct commands, but also seen in warning notices or cautionary signs.
- When combined with the sentence-ending particle ”よ,” it can sometimes take on a lighter nuance of inviting or suggesting.
Similer Articles
- JLPT N2・N4 Grammar – The difference between ”〜にくい”, ”〜づらい” and “〜がたい”
- JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – The difference between “聞けない” and “聞こえない”
- JLPT N4・N5 Grammar – The difference between “〜けど” and “〜のに”
- JLPT N3・N4 Grammar – The difference between “〜ように” and “〜通りに”
- JLPT N4 Vocabulary – The difference between “何でも” and “何も”
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