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Tense guide
Impératif négatif (Imperative (negative))

Language: French
Tense:
Person:

Practice conjugation drills

Introduction

In French, you use the "Impératif négatif" to tell someone not to do something. It is the way you say "Don't..". to give a negative command, warning, or piece of advice.

The most common use is to give a strong command or to forbid an action. You are telling someone directly that they must not do something.

Ne touche pas à ça !
(Don't touch that!)
Ne parlez pas si fort.
(Don't speak so loudly.)
N'oublie pas tes clés.
(Don't forget your keys.)
Ne restons pas ici.
(Let's not stay here.)
N'ouvrez pas la fenêtre.
(Don't open the window.)
Ne cours pas dans la maison.
(Don't run in the house.)

You can also use this form to give advice or a strong suggestion. It sounds less like an order and more like a helpful warning.

Ne t'inquiète pas.
(Don't worry.)
Ne travaillez pas trop.
(Don't work too much.)
Ne sois pas en retard.
(Don't be late.)
N'ayez pas peur.
(Don't be afraid.)

This form is often used in instructions, like in recipes or manuals. It tells you what step not to take.

Ne mélangez pas les ingrédients trop vite.
(Don't mix the ingredients too quickly.)
N'ajoutez pas de sel avant de goûter.
(Don't add salt before tasting.)
Ne faites pas bouillir l'eau trop longtemps.
(Don't boil the water for too long.)

When you add "s'il te plaît" or "s'il vous plaît", a negative command becomes a polite request. It is a soft way to ask someone not to do something.

Ne fais pas de bruit, s'il te plaît.
(Please don't make any noise.)
N'oubliez pas de m'appeler, s'il vous plaît.
(Please don't forget to call me.)

Notice the word order is always the same: The word Ne (or N') comes before the verb, and pas comes after it.

Further explanations

Conjugation patterns