Japanese word

なさる

Pronunciation

Romajinasaru

Meaning

  • verbdo

Example

先生は何をなさいますか？sen sei wa nan o na sa i ma su ka

What will you do, teacher?

Illustration for なさる (do)

More examples

校長先生は式であいさつをなさいます。kō chō sen sei wa shiki de a i sa tsu o na sa i ma su

The principal will give a speech at the ceremony.

Core concept

Presents another person's action in a respectful way instead of using the neutral verb for doing.

Common phrases

  • 何をなさるnan o na sa ru

    what to do

  • お仕事をなさるo shi goto o na sa ru

    do one's work

Similar words

するsuru: To carry out an action or activity without showing respect or disrespect.
行うokonau: To carry out an action or task in a formal way.
やるyaru: To do something in casual everyday language.

Definition in Japanese

相手や話題の人物の動作を敬っていう「する」の尊敬語。ai te ya wa dai no jin butsu no dō sa o uyama tte i u su ru no son kei go

Word origin

なさる (nasaru), the honorific form of する (suru, "do"), is historically connected with なす (nasu, "do") and the honorific auxiliary る (ru).

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, なさる (nasaru) signals respect toward the person whose action is being discussed, not toward the action itself.

Word lists with this word