Translated examples
ここでたばこを吸ってはいけません。
You must not smoke here.
この部屋に入ってはいけません。
You must not enter this room.
試験中に話してはいけません。
You must not talk during the test.
ここで走ってはいけません。
You must not run here.
Verb te-form + はいけない states that an action is not allowed. The polite ending is はいけません. It expresses prohibition, so distinguish it from asking someone not to act and from saying that an action is unnecessary.
Form a prohibition
| Dictionary form | Te-form | Polite prohibition |
|---|---|---|
| 入る | 入って | 入ってはいけません — must not enter |
| 使う | 使って | 使ってはいけません — must not use |
| 飲む | 飲んで | 飲んではいけません — must not drink |
| 開ける | 開けて | 開けてはいけません — must not open |
| する | して | してはいけません — must not do |
Retain the complete te-form, including で: 飲んではいけません. This is not formed by attaching はいけません to a negative verb such as 飲まない. Use the te-form table when the transformation is uncertain.
State a rule in a clear context
この部屋に入ってはいけません。— You must not enter this room.
ここで写真を撮ってはいけません。— You must not take photos here.
このボタンを押してはいけません。— You must not press this button.
The examples are invented language practice, not statements about an actual building or device. The construction can sound authoritative because it states that the action is forbidden. Whether the speaker should use it depends on the situation and their role.
Prohibition, request, or no obligation?
| Sentence | Meaning | Does it allow the action? |
|---|---|---|
| 書いてはいけません。 | You must not write it. | The sentence prohibits it |
| 書かないでください。 | Please do not write it. | The speaker requests that it not be done |
| 書かなくてもいいです。 | You do not have to write it. | The requirement is removed; writing is not automatically forbidden |
| 書いてもいいです。 | You may write it. | Permission is given |
English “must not” and “do not have to” are different. Japanese reflects that distinction through different forms. Learn the purpose of the whole ending rather than reacting only to a negative word.
Recognise common conversational contractions
ては can become ちゃ, and では can become じゃ in casual speech:
- 食べてはいけない → 食べちゃいけない.
- 飲んではいけない → 飲んじゃいけない.
These are useful to recognise, but the casual ending is not a substitute for a polite public instruction in every setting. Begin with the full form so you can see how it attaches to the verb.
Compare a firm rule with a personal request
If you are stating an established restriction, ここで食べてはいけません can express the rule. If you are asking another person for cooperation in a particular situation, ここで食べないでください may better match the request. Both can be direct; choosing one does not remove the need to consider the context.
For a full explanation of the request form, see ないでください. For permission questions and responses, see てもいい.
Practice
- Form a polite prohibition from 入る.
- Complete 飲む → 飲ん＿＿いけません.
- Say “You do not have to write it”: choose 書いてはいけません or 書かなくてもいいです.
- Which asks for cooperation not to act: 開けないでください or 開けてはいけません?
- Expand 飲んじゃいけない into the full form.
- Make “May I use this?” with 使う, rather than stating a prohibition.
Show answers and explanations
Answers and explanations
- 入ってはいけません. 入る is Group 1; る → って.
- では. The full form is 飲んではいけません.
- 書かなくてもいいです. It removes the obligation; the other option forbids writing.
- 開けないでください. It requests that the listener not open it; the other sentence states prohibition.
- 飲んではいけない. では contracts to じゃ in this casual form.
- これを使ってもいいですか。— The ending changes the purpose to a permission question.
Create one rule and one permission question for an imagined classroom. Explain the intended meaning before checking the form; then compare it with an example of a positive request.
Sources
Practice and explanations
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