Japanese

なく

なく
Meaning: to cry; to sing (birds); to chirp
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present なく なかない
Polite なきます なきません
Past ないた なかなかった
Polite + Past なきました なきませんでした
Te-form ないて なかなくて
Potential なける なけない
Passive なかれる なかれない
Causative なかせる なかせない
Causative + Passive なかされる なかされない
Imperative なけ なくな

Handwriting

な
く

Example sentences

I can hear a cat crying somewhere.
この時計は、一秒の狂いもなく正確に動いている。
This watch moves accurately without a single second's error.
彼は容赦なく相手を追い詰めた。
He cornered the opponent relentlessly.
彼は現状に甘んじることなく、常に高みを目指している。
Without being content with the current situation, he is always aiming higher.
彼はその才能を余すところなく発揮した。
He displayed his talents to the fullest.
手当ての甲斐なく空しくなりました。
Despite the medical treatment, he passed away.
愛楊葉児に陥ることなく、真理を追求し続けるべきだ。
One should continue to seek the truth without being satisfied with shallow knowledge.

Usage Notes

Normally written as 泣く when humans cry (tears), and 鳴く when animals, birds, or insects make sounds.

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