JAPANICTIONARY LEARNJAPAN

Naku (なく) -to cry / Japanese Word

japanup_akane 04/01/2021

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Last updated: June 29, 2026

APRIL 2021 (VOL.162)

Naku 泣く

Naku means “to cry”

In Japanese, naku is written 泣く, a JLPT N5 verb. This naku conjugation guide covers all 13 forms, from “nakanai” to “nakimashita.”

Shota:

Doushite naiteiru no?

Why are you crying?

Sanae:

Kono eiga ni kandou shitano.

I was moved by this movie.

Shota:

Sonnani nakeru no?

Did it make you cry that much?

Sanae:

Zettai ni naku yo.

You will cry for sure.

Shota:

Otoko wa nakanai.

Men don’t cry.

Sanae:

Kinou keitai otoshite naite ita jan…

You were crying yesterday when you lost your mobile phone…

Naku example: a conversation about crying in Japanese
Naku example: a conversation about crying in Japanese

Naku Conjugation Table (All Forms)

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crycry(polite)cried cried(polite)is cryingwas cryingcan crywant to crylet’s crylet’s cry(polite)cry!please cry
positiveNakuNakimasuNaitaNaki mashita Naite iruNaite itaNakeruNakitaiNakouNakimashoNake!Naite kudasai
negativeNakanaiNakimasenNakanakattaNakimasen deshita Naite inaiNaite inakattaNakenaiNakitakunai––Nakuna!Nakanaide kudasai
nakimasen deshita example: he did not cry even after falling
Koronda noni nakimasen deshita.
He did not cry even he fell.
nakimasen example: I never cry
Zettai ni nakimasen.
I never cry.
naite iru example: crying loudly
Oogoe de Naite iru.
Crying loudly.
nakitai example: mom wants to cry too
Mama mo nakitai.
Mom wants to cry, too.
nakenai example: I can't cry at school
Gakkou dewa nakenai.
I can’t cry at school.
nakuna example: don't cry, be a man (imperative)
Nakuna! Otoko daro!
Don’t cry!  Be a man!
naita example: I cried yesterday
Kinou naita.
I cried yesterday.

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