How to Say ‘Please don't.’ in Japanese
やめてください。
yame te kudasai
[yah-meh te koo-dah-sigh]
💬 Usage Tip: やめて comes from やめる "stop, quit". It works both for "please don't do that" and for "please stop" mid-action.
Phrase Breakdown
やめ
yame
[yah-meh]
stop
From the verb やめる, meaning to stop doing something. Common when telling a dog to quit an action.
やめて、そこにのらないで。
Stop, don't climb up there.
て
te
[te]
te-form ending
Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.
ドアが開いて、入ります。
The door opens, and then I go in.
ください
kudasai
[koo-dah-sigh]
please (polite request)
Polite request word used after て-form verbs: 〜てください = “please do ….” Softer than commands, good with neighbors.
9時からは音を小さくしてください。
From 9 o’clock, please keep the sound low.
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