「～てはいけない」- Prohibition
Explanation
In Japanese, ～てはいけない is a commonly used grammatical structure that expresses prohibition, meaning "must not do something." This structure is primarily used to indicate that a certain action is not allowed or is forbidden, often appearing in commands or warnings.
Grammar Pattern
| Grammar Point | Connection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| ～てはいけない | Verb て-form + はいけない | Means "must not do something" or "is not allowed to do something." It is typically used to give prohibitive instructions or commands to subordinates, students, or children. |
Basic Usage
- ここで
タバコ を吸 ってはいけない。 - Koko de tabako o sutte wa ikenai.
- You must not smoke here.
Examples
廊下 で走 ってはいけません。- Rouka de hashitte wa ikemasen.
- You must not run in the hallway.
- この
箱 を開 けてはいけない。 - Kono hako o akete wa ikenai.
- You must not open this box.
Deep Dive
～てはいけない is used to strictly prohibit a certain action and is commonly found in rules, regulations, and prohibitions. Its tone is formal and stern, making it suitable for written instructions and formal situations.
Examples
図書館 では大声 で話 してはいけません。- Toshokan dewa oogoe de hanashite wa ikemasen.
- You must not speak loudly in the library.
- この
薬 をたくさん 飲 んではいけない。 - Kono kusuri o takusan nonde wa ikenai.
- You must not take too much of this medicine.
Summary
～てはいけない is a frequently used grammatical structure in Japanese to express prohibition. It is applicable in both formal and informal contexts.