Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
なさい gives a direct order from someone in a superior position (parent, teacher) to someone below them, so it sounds firm and top-down rather than like a request. ください softens a verb into a polite request and works between equals or when asking a favor, where なさい would sound bossy or condescending. The relationship and tone decide which one fits: 早く寝なさい (parent to child) vs 早く寝てください (friend or colleague).
- なさい Use なさい when you are in a superior position giving a firm instruction to someone younger or lower in rank.
- 下さい・ください Use ください when politely requesting an action from someone you are not superior to.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| なさい nasai | Polite imperative | N4 |
| 下さい・ください sai kudasai | Please do | N5 |
なさい nasai
Polite imperative
Do something | A polite imperative used by superiors such as parents or teachers to their inferiors (=people of younger age and lower rank)
-
もう遅いから歯を 磨いて寝なさい。
It's late now, so brush your teeth and go to bed.
-
もっと沢山食べなさい。
Eat more.
下さい・ください sai kudasai
Please do
An auxiliary verb which indicates a polite request.
-
この言葉の意味を教えて下さい。
Please tell me the meaning of this word.
-
夜遅く電話しないで下さい。
Please don't call me late at night.
なさい and 下さい・ください are JLPT N5–N4 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side — meanings, usage and example sentences — so you can tell them apart.