must not ~, may not ~

Beginner

10-15 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses prohibition. Something is not allowed.

[Verb て-form] + はいけません

ここでタバコを吸ってはいけません。

Koko de tabako wo sutte wa ikemasen.

You must not smoke here.

走ってはいけません。

Hashitte wa ikemasen.

You must not run.

は can be dropped in casual speech: ～ちゃいけない.

～てもいいです

it's okay to ~, may I ~?

です/だ

to be (copula)

は (wa)

topic marker

が (ga)

subject marker

を (wo)

direct object marker

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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