JLPT N3 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 10: Advice, Commands, and Prohibitions

Advice, Commands, and Prohibitions

JLPT N3
Shinkanzen N3 • 4 key grammar patterns
Point 1L10_G1

1. 命令 (Imperative) / 禁止 (Prohibition)

Sentence Pattern
【Imperative】
V group I Vえ
V group II Vろ
V group III する ➔ しろ / 来る ➔ 来い
【Prohibition】
Vる (dictionary form) + な

“Do... / Don’t...”

This is a very direct and forceful imperative/prohibitive form. It appears in urgent commands, slogans, signs, cheering, superior-to-subordinate speech, and some close relationships; it is not a form used only by men.

Imperatives also appear inside reported or quoted content, e.g. ～しろと言う and ～するなと言う.
Example Sentences (6)
【試合しあいで】監督かんとく「走はしれ、走はしれ！」
[At a match] Coach: "Run, run!"
犬いぬに「降おりろ。」と命令めいれいした。犬いぬは命令めいれいに従したがった。
I commanded the dog, "Get down." The dog obeyed the command.
赤信号あかしんごうは止とまれという意味いみです。
A red light means stop.
引ひっ越こしを手伝てつだってくれと友ともだちに頼たのんでみよう。
Let's try asking our friends to help us move.
立たて札ふだに「スピードを出だすな！」と書かいてある。
The signboard says, "Do not speed!"
父ちちは医者いしゃにお酒さけを飲のむなと言いわれている。
My father has been told by the doctor not to drink alcohol.
Point 2L10_G2

2. ～こと (Must / Must not)

Sentence Pattern
Vる / Vない + こと

"Do ~ / Do not ~"

This structure is mainly used to issue reminders, requests, and instructions on warning signs, notices, etc.

Example Sentences (3)
【学校がっこうで】先生せんせい「レポートは来週月曜日らいしゅうげつようびに必かならず出だすこと。遅おくれないこと。」
[At school] Teacher: "Make sure to submit the report by next Monday. Do not be late."
申込書もうしこみしょを書かく前まえに注意書ちゅういがきをよく読よむこと。
Read the instructions carefully before filling out the application form.
【立たて札ふだ】危あぶないからこの川かわで泳およがないこと。
[Signboard] It is dangerous, so do not swim in this river.
Point 3L10_G3

3. ～べきだ / ～べきではない

Sentence Pattern
Vる (dictionary form) + べきだ / べきではない
＊: する ➔ するべきだ / すべきだ

"Ought to do ~ / Should do ~ / Should not do ~"

Used when the speaker gives an opinion on something that is morally or logically expected, rather than following set rules.

It can express regret when the structure is conjugated into the past tense (as seen in example ⑤).
Example Sentences (5)
これは大事だいじなことですから、もう少すこし話はなし合あってから決きめるべきだと思おもいますよ。
Because this is an important matter, I think we should discuss it a bit more before deciding.
仕事しごとはたくさんあるが、まず、今日中きょうじゅうにやるべきことから始はじめよう。
There is a lot of work, but first, let's start with what must be done today.
せっかく入はいった会社かいしゃなのだから、簡単かんたんに辞やめるべきではない。
Since you went through the trouble of joining the company, you shouldn't quit easily.
子こどもは夜遅よるおそくまで外そとにいるべきではない。
Children shouldn't stay outside until late at night.
あしたまでのレポートがまだ書かき終おわらない。もっと早はやくから始はじめるべきだった。
I still haven't finished writing the report due tomorrow. I should have started earlier.
Point 4L10_G4

4. ～たらどうか (How about...)

Sentence Pattern
Vたら + どうか

"It would be better if you did ~!"

Used to gently suggest, encourage, or advise someone to do something. As in example ④, it can also express mild criticism when the person hasn't done what they should.

Example Sentences (4)
体からだのことが心配しんぱいなら、一度健康診断いちどけんこうしんだんを受うけたらどうでしょうか。
If you are worried about your health, how about getting a medical checkup once?
疲つかれているみたいですね。少すこし休やすんだらどうですか。
You look tired. How about taking a little rest?
迷惑めいわくメールが多おおいの？じゃ、アドレスを変かえたらどう？
Are you getting a lot of spam emails? Then, how about changing your email address?
悪わるいのはそっちですよ。一言謝ひとことあやまったらどうですか。
You are the one at fault here. Why don't you just apologize?
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