Meaning
Forbids an action.
Formation
- 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-
ここでたばこを吸ってはいけません
You must not smoke here.
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この部屋に入ってはいけない
You must not enter this room.
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この川で泳いではいけません
You must not swim in this river.
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ここで車を止めてはいけません
You must not stop a car here.
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このボタンを押してはいけません
You must not press this button.
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この池で泳いではいけません
You must not swim in this pond.
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夜に大きな音を出してはいけません
You must not make loud noises at night.
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美術館で写真を撮ってはいけません
You must not take photos in the art museum.
5 more examples
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試験中に辞書を見てはいけません
You must not consult a dictionary during the exam.
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図書館で大きな声で話してはいけません
You must not talk loudly in the library.
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パスワードを人に教えてはいけません
You must not tell other people your password.
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大事な手紙を捨ててはいけません
You must not throw away important letters.
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教室でご飯を食べてはいけません
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.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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