This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

勿れ

莫れ、 毋れ、 无れ

Reading

Kana: なかれ
Romaji: nakare
Kana
Romaji

Definition

prt
1

must not; do not

Note: word usually written using kana alone

Kanji

Readings: モチ、 ブツ、 ボツ、 なか.れ、 なし
Meanings: not, must not, do not, be not
Readings: バク、 ボ、 マク、 モ、 ナイ、 くれ、 なか.れ、 なし
Meanings: must not, do not, be not
Readings: ブ、 ム、 はは、 ぼ、 ない、 なか.れ
Meanings: do not, must not, be not, mother radical (no. 80)
Readings: ブ、 ム、 なし、 ない
Meanings: nothing, not exist, crooked heaven radical (no.71)

Example Sentences

(こと)なかれ主義(しゅぎ)
➥I am playing it safe.
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物事(ものごと)中途半端(ちゅうとはんぱ)にするなかれ。
➥Don't leave things half done.
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(おのれ)(ほっ)せざる(ところ)(ひと)(ほどこ)()れ。
➥Do to others as you would have others do to you.
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小事(しょうじ)(かろ)んずるなかれ。
➥Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.
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鶏口(けいこう)となるも牛後(ぎゅうご)となるなかれ。
➥Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
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(あやま)ちては(あらた)むるに()ることなかれ。
➥It's never too late to make amends.
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