JLPT N5 · Permission and obligation

Vてはいけない

Forbids an action

Meaning

Forbids an action.

Formation

  1. て form + はいけません (plain はいけない) — 吸ってはいけません

When to use it

Core use
Forbids an action

Examples

13 sentences
  • この部屋へやに入っはいってはいけない

    You must not enter this room.

  • この川かわで泳いおよいではいけません

    You must not swim in this river.

  • ここで車くるまを止めてとめてはいけません

    You must not stop a car here.

  • このボタンを押しておしてはいけません

    You must not press this button.

  • この池いけで泳いでおよいではいけません

    You must not swim in this pond.

  • 夜よるに大きなおおきな音おとを出してだしてはいけません

    You must not make loud noises at night.

  • 美術館びじゅつかんで写真しゃしんを撮ってとってはいけません

    You must not take photos in the art museum.

5 more examples
  • 試験中しけんちゅうに辞書じしょを見てみてはいけません

    You must not consult a dictionary during the exam.

  • 図書館としょかんで大きなおおきな声こえで話してはなしてはいけません

    You must not talk loudly in the library.

  • パスワードを人ひとに教えておしえてはいけません

    You must not tell other people your password.

  • 大事なだいじな手紙てがみを捨ててすててはいけません

    You must not throw away important letters.

  • 教室きょうしつでご飯ごはんを食べてたべてはいけません

    You must not eat in the classroom.

Important notes

  • てはいけません states a rule or a prohibition — ここで泳いではいけません. For a personal request not to do something ないでください is softer.

Common mistakes

  • A negative inside changes everything: 行ってはいけない (you must not go) vs 行かなくてはいけない (you must go).

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

  1. Sentence 1: 試験中しけんちゅうに辞書じしょを見てみてはいけません

  2. Sentence 2: パスワードを人ひとに教えておしえてはいけません

  3. Sentence 3: 教室きょうしつでご飯ごはんを食べてたべてはいけません

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