How to Say ‘Don't say bad words.’ in Japanese
悪口を言わないで
waruguchi o iwa nai de
[wah-roo-GOO-chee oh ee-WAH nah-ee deh]
💬 Usage Tip: Adding ないで to a verb makes a soft "please don't". For example, 言わないで means "don't say" and 見ないで means "don't look". It's much gentler than the blunt 〜な form.
Phrase Breakdown
悪口を
waruguchi o
bad things (about someone), insults (object)
悪口 (waruguchi) means insults or bad-mouthing. を marks it as the object. Pronounce: wa-ru-gu-chi-o.
悪口をやめて。
Stop the insults.
Words in this phrase
悪口
waruguchi
[wah-roo-GOO-chee]
bad-mouthing; insults
Speaking ill of someone, name-calling or nasty remarks.
人の悪口はよくない。
Bad-mouthing people is not good.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
言わないで
iwa nai de
don't say
言う (to say) in the negative request form ないで, meaning 'please don't'. Pronounce: i-wa-na-i-de.
誰にも言わないで。
Don't tell anyone.
Words in this phrase
言わ
iwa
[ee-WAH]
say (negative stem)
Form of 言う (to say) used before ない.
誰にも言わない。
I won't tell anyone.
ない
nai
[nah-ee]
not
Negative ending attached to verbs.
今日は行かないです。
I am not going today.
で
de
[deh]
please (don't)
After ない, makes a soft request not to do something.
泣かないで。
Please don't cry.
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