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The Japanese nai form is used to make verbs negative, meaning "do not" or "will not do." Learning the nai form is essential for beginners because it allows you to form both plain and polite negative sentences, used in everyday conversation, writing, and Japanese tests like JLPT.

The plain form negative depends on the verb group. For Group 1 Verbs (U-verbs), change the final -u sound to -a and add nai. Examples: かく (kaku → to write) → かかない (kakanai → do not write), のむ (nomu → to drink) → のまない (nomanai → do not drink), いく (iku → to go) → いかない (ikanai → do not go), よむ (yomu → to read) → よまない (yomanai → do not read).

For Group 2 Verbs (Ru-verbs), remove -ru and add nai. Examples: たべる (taberu → to eat) → たべない (tabenai → do not eat), みる (miru → to see) → みない (minai → do not see), おきる (okiru → to wake up) → おきない (okinai → do not wake up), ねる (neru → to sleep) → ねない (nenai → do not sleep).

For Irregular Verbs, する → しない (shinai → do not do), くる → こない (konai → do not come).

The polite negative form uses -masen instead of nai. For Group 1 Verbs, change -u to -i and add -masen. Examples: かく → かきません (kakimasen → do not write), のむ → のみません (nomimasen → do not drink), よむ → よみません (yomimasen → do not read).

For Group 2 Verbs, remove -ru and add -masen. Examples: たべる → たべません (tabemasen → do not eat), みる → みません (mimasen → do not see), ねる → ねません (nemasen → do not sleep).

For Irregular Verbs, する → しません (shimasen → do not do), くる → きません (kimasen → do not come).

Tips to Remember Nai Form: 1) For U-verbs, change the final vowel u → a and add nai (いく → いかない). 2) For Ru-verbs, drop -ru and add nai. 3) Irregular verbs する and くる should be memorized separately. 4) Practice both plain and polite forms regularly. 5) Use with time expressions, e.g., あしたいかない (plain) / あしたいきません (polite). 6) Convert daily actions like たべる, のむ, みる into negative sentences. 7) Make questions with nai form: きょうはたべないの？ / きょうはたべませんか？

Mastering the nai form allows you to create clear negative sentences for conversation, writing, and JLPT preparation. Regular practice with both plain and polite forms will make using negative verbs in Japanese natural and easy.

Japanese Nai Form Explained – Plain and Polite Forms for Beginners