How 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 | A polite or firm way to give a command | N4 |
| 下さい・ください sai kudasai | Used to politely ask someone to do something | N5 |
なさい nasai
A polite or firm way to give a command
なさい turns a verb into a firm command, softer than the blunt imperative and typically used by parents, teachers, or superiors. It attaches to the masu-stem of a verb, as in しなさい and やってみなさい. Note that お帰りなさい is a fixed greeting, not a command.
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したいことが出来なければ出来ることをしなさい。
When you can't do what you want, you do what you can.
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ボケッとしないで、さっさとメモ書きなさいよっ。
Don't just stand there like a lump, start taking notes!
下さい・ください sai kudasai
Used to politely ask someone to do something
下さい (also written ください) is a polite way to make a request, meaning please do something. It follows the negative or plain form of a verb, as in どいてください or 気になさらないで下さい, and softens commands into polite requests.
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ふふふ、ごめんあそばせ。気になさらないで下さいな！
Ha-ha-ha, pray forgive me. Please don't worry yourself about that!
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お子さんが車をおりたらすぐに車を出してください。
Please drive off as soon as your child has left the car.
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 on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.