Minna No Nihongo Lesson 17 Vocabulary

1. Conjugating Verbs to the ない Form

Group 1 (U-Verbs)

1. Change the last syllable of the verb to its corresponding あ-line syllable.
2. Add ない.

Verb (Dictionary Form)	Stem Change	ない Form
書く (to write)	書 → 書か	書かない
飲む (to drink)	飲 → 飲ま	飲まない
聞く (to listen)	聞 → 聞か	聞かない

Group 2 (Ru-Verbs)

1. Remove the final る.
2. Add ない.

Verb (Dictionary Form)	ない Form
食べる (to eat)	食べない
見る (to see)	見ない

Group 3 (Irregular Verbs)

1. Memorize the irregular conjugations.

Verb (Dictionary Form)	ない Form
する (to do)	しない
来る (to come)	来ない (こない)

Auxiliary Verbs

Verb (Dictionary Form)	ない Form
ある (to exist)	ない

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2. Uses of the ない Form

1. Plain Negative Sentences
   Example:
   • ご飯を食べない。
     (I don’t eat rice.)
2. Prohibitions (～ないでください)
   Example:
   • ここでタバコを吸わないでください。
     (Please don’t smoke here.)
3. Expressing Necessity (～なければならない / ～なくてはいけない)
   Example:
   • 宿題をしなければならない。
     (I must do my homework.)
4. Expressing Possibility (～なくてもいい)
   Example:
   • 行かなくてもいいです。
     (You don’t have to go.) 

Worksheet Example: Practicing the ない Form

A. Conjugation Practice

Conjugate the following verbs into the ない form.

Verb	ない Form
書く (to write)
読む (to read)
食べる (to eat)
勉強する (to study)
来る (to come)

B. Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences with the correct ない form.

1. 毎日ジュースを_________。(飲む)
2. 宿題を_________で遊んでいます。(する)
3. あの映画を_________ほうがいい。(見る)

C. Translation Practice

Translate the following sentences into Japanese using the ない form.

1. Don’t forget the book.
2. I don’t go to school on Sundays.
3. Please don’t eat here.

D. Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate negative forms.

1. 時間が_________。(ある)
2. 彼は手紙を_________。(書く)
3. 勉強し_________で寝ました。(する)

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Let me know if you’d like to refine these or have additional requests!

Conclusion of the ない Form

The ない form is a fundamental aspect of Japanese grammar used to express negation in various contexts. By understanding its rules and patterns, learners can effectively convey what does not happen, does not exist, or should not be done. Key takeaways include:

1. Conjugation Rules
   • Group 1 (U-Verbs): Change the final syllable to the corresponding あ-line and add ない.
   • Group 2 (Ru-Verbs): Remove the final る and add ない.
   • Group 3 (Irregular Verbs): Memorize the unique forms (しない for する, こない for 来る).
2. Common Uses
   • Forming plain negative sentences.
   • Expressing prohibitions, necessity, and lack of obligation.
3. Flexibility in Communication
   The ない form is essential for casual speech and is the base for many polite and nuanced expressions, such as ～ないでください (please don’t) or ～なければならない (must do).
4. Practical Learning
   Consistent practice with conjugations and sentences will deepen understanding and fluency in using the ない form. Worksheets and real-life examples can help solidify the skill.

Mastering the ない form provides a strong foundation for more advanced Japanese grammar and helps learners communicate effectively in negative contexts.