なさい and ください using い-stem instead of う-stem


I'm curious as to why these two verbs use their い-stem, instead of う like ます
does after the い-stem and くれる/あげる/おく do after the て form. (I know the two are
_aru_ special class verbs.) Does this have to do with 有り/なり using い by default
back then, or is it more about roundabout formal speech?




As pointed out in the comment section, くださる and なさる are irregular verbs in
Japanese. The regular **imperative** form くだされ/なされ somehow changed to ください/なさい
long ago, making them look identical to the pre-masu form.

The れ version still exists, but sounds fairly old. You can hear samurai and
old sage say 見なされ or 見てくだされ in fictional works.

See also: [Proper form of なさる - なさります or
なさいます](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/32700/5010)




As pointed out in the comment section, くださる and なさる are irregular verbs in
Japanese. The regular **imperative** form くだされ/なされ somehow changed to ください/なさい
long ago, making them look identical to the pre-masu form.

The れ version still exists, but sounds fairly old. You can hear samurai and
old sage say 見なされ or 見てくだされ in fictional works.

See also: [Proper form of なさる - なさります or
なさいます](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/32700/5010)

