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ない形

nai-kei

Draw one X. Everything else stands on it.

The picture You draw a single X on the spot where the action would have gone. All that changes is what you then say about that X.

Endings and forms

Where the picture shows up in ない形

  1. just the X

    今日は残業しない

    kyō wa zangyō shinai

    I'm not working overtime today.

  2. keep the X there

    お酒は飲まないでください。

    osake wa nomanaide kudasai

    Please don't drink alcohol.

  3. the X as your goal

    遅刻しないように、早く出ます。

    chikoku shinai yō ni, hayaku demasu

    I leave early so I won't be late.

  4. the X is fine too

    明日は来なくてもいいです。

    ashita wa konakute mo ii desu

    You don't have to come tomorrow.

  5. the X is not allowed

    パスポートを見せなければなりません。

    pasupōto o misenakereba narimasen

    You must show your passport.

    Literally 'if you don't show it, it won't do.' Two X's stacked make an obligation.

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