Alternative writings: なあ, なー, なぁ
Frequency:

1A prohibitive sentence-final particle attached to the dictionary form of verbs to mean 'Don't ...' (e.g., '行くな' = 'Don't go').

Particle

Examples

触るな!危ない。

Don't touch that! It's dangerous.

ここにゴミを捨てるな。

Don't throw garbage here.

勝手に入るな!

Do not enter without permission!

2A colloquial imperative (from 'なさい'), used after the stem of verbs or in short forms to tell someone to do something (more gentle/colloquial than a blunt command).

Particle

Examples

早く食べな、時間がないよ。

Eat quickly — there's no time.

宿題をちゃんとやりな。

Make sure to do your homework.

3An interjection used to get someone's attention or to call them ('hey', 'listen', 'look'), often initiating a request or comment.

Interjection

Examples

な、ちょっと話があるんだけど。

Hey, I need to talk to you for a minute.

な、見てみろよ、あそこに鳥がいる。

Hey, look — there's a bird over there.

4A sentence-final particle expressing emotion, reflection, or seeking agreement ('... isn't it', 'I tell you', 'how...'), often lengthened (なあ).

Particle

Examples

いい天気だなあ。

What nice weather.

若いっていいなあ、うらやましい。

Being young is great — I'm jealous.

明日試験だな、準備はできてるか?

The exam is tomorrow, huh — are you prepared?

5A sentence-final particle expressing admiration or amazement (like 'wow' or 'ooh').

Particle

Examples

きれいな夕日だな、写真を撮ろう。

What a beautiful sunset — let's take a picture.

すごいな、その速さは信じられない。

Amazing — that speed is unbelievable.

6In Kansai dialect, a sentence-final particle used to request confirmation or agreement ('right?', 'isn't it?').

Particle

Examples

今日は暑いな、海でも行こか?

It's hot today, isn't it? Shall we go to the beach?

いい店やな、また来よう。

This is a nice place, isn't it? Let's come again.