Ambiguities with the 「な」 particle?

[pacerier]

Hi all, i've read that 「な」 can mean either a negative imperative marker or a casual emphasis to soften an assertion. How do we differentiate which is which? Like can ストレス溜ってるな mean both (1) and (2):

(1) the stress just keeps building up

(2) don't build up the stress

 

[Glenn]

It can only mean 1. I guess unless you're commanding the stress not be to built up, something like "stress, don't be built up!" But then again, you'd probably need to move ストレス to after 溜ってるな, with a pause in between, or otherwise mark it as being vocative.

 

[undrentide]

ストレス（を）溜めるな for (2).

 

[epigene]

So you keep windowshopping.

ストレス溜ってるな | WordReference Forums

 

[pacerier]

ストレス（を）溜めるな for (2).

heys i was wondering is it true that ストレス（を）溜めるな can also have the first meaning: the stress just keeps building up?

So you keep windowshopping.

i do mean no harm: Questions on 上げる / くれる

 

[undrentide]

heys i was wondering is it true that ストレス（を）溜めるな can also have the first meaning: the stress just keeps building up?

The simple answer is "no".
Dictionary form + な means imperative (prohibition).

ストレス（が）溜まるな could mean pressure is building up as 溜まる is intransitive verb, so ストレス can be the subject.
溜める is transitive verb, and ストレス is the direct object.

 

[pacerier]

oic, thanks for the clarification =P

 

[FinancialWar]

I am amazed that there are still so many people that willing to help you

 

[nhk9]

I am amazed that there are still so many people that willing to help you

There are good people who are willing to help others, and then there are bad people who try to take advantage of the good people. Thankfully, we have many good people here.