なさい

なさい turns a verb into a command – the kind a parent gives a child, or a teacher a class. It goes on the ます-stem: たべなさい食べなさい, よみなさい読みなさい, しなさい, きなさい来なさい.

• × 食べるなさい → 食べなさい

なさい or てください

てください is a request, and you can say it to anyone. なさい is an order from someone with authority. It is gentler than the plain imperative たべろ食べろ, but you never say it to someone older or senior to you.

• × (to your boss) 早く来なさい → 早く来てください

Usage notes

These go beyond なさい as a command.

In greetings

おやすみなさい, ごめんなさい and おかえりなさい carry なさい but are set greetings, not orders.

The short form な

In casual speech, the ます-stem takes just な: たべな食べな, べんきょう勉強しな. It is a familiar, friendly order. Don't mix it up with the な that forbids, which follows the dictionary form.