Unit 3 - Section 3: 〜について

Practice Quiz

Advanced Negation Patterns

Master sophisticated negation expressions and prohibitive patterns used in formal and literary Japanese.

～ないでください (Please Don't)

Pattern: [Verb ない] + でください

Polite request not to do something

  • ここで写真しゃしんを撮らないでください。 - "Please don't take photos here."
  • 遅刻しないでください。 - "Please don't be late."

～ず / ～ぬ (Formal Negation)

Older/Literary Patterns:
  • ～ず: 知らず (not knowing, without knowing)
  • ～ぬ: 来ぬ (did not come, won't come - very formal/archaic)

These are mainly found in literature, formal writing, and proverbs today.

～ないことに (In Spite Of Not)

Pattern: [Verb ない] + ことに

Express paradox or contradiction

  • 努力どりょくしないことに、成功せいこうした。 - "Despite not trying, [I] succeeded."
  • 助言じょげんしないことに、彼は良い決断けつだんをした。 - "Without advice, he made a good decision."

Advanced Negation Patterns

Pattern Formality Usage
～ない Standard Everyday negation
～ないでください Polite Polite prohibition
～ず Formal/Literary Without doing, negative state
～ぬ Archaic Literature, old texts
～ないことに Formal Paradox/contradiction

Study Tips

Master Advanced Negation:
  • Recognition vs production: Recognize archaic forms in literature
  • Formal contexts: ～ず used in business and formal writing
  • Subtlety: Different negation patterns express different nuances
  • Literary appreciation: Understanding these helps with Japanese literature
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz