なさい

「〜なさい」 attaches to the verb stem (the ます-form without 「ます」) and gives a command: 「早く起きなさい」 (Get up quickly). It goes from higher to lower, such as a mother to a child or a teacher to a student, and exam instructions like 「答えなさい」 (answer). It is not rough, but it is still an order.

•Never use it with equals or friends, and certainly not with elders or superiors.

•Strength compared: the command form 「起きろ」 is rough; 「起きなさい」 is a gentle order from an elder to a younger person; 「〜てください」 is a polite request to equals or outsiders.

•In speech mothers often shorten 「なさい」 to 「な」: 「早く起きな」 (get up). Do not confuse it with the prohibition 「起きるな」 (don't get up).