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Look at the museum sign: the crossed-out camera means taking photos is forbidden here.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 2

〜てはいけません~te wa ikemasen

prohibited action

Attach 「はいけません」 to the て-form to state that an action is forbidden in a specified place or situation.

How it works

  1. Look at the museum sign: the crossed-out camera means taking photos is forbidden here.

    Look at the museum sign: the crossed-out camera means taking photos is forbidden here.

  2. 「はいけません」 means an action is not allowed. It states a rule, not a lack of ability.

    「はいけません」 means an action is not allowed. It states a rule, not a lack of ability.

  3. Put the verb in the て form, then add 「はいけません」 to say that the action is forbidden.

    Put the verb in the て form, then add 「はいけません」 to say that the action is forbidden.

  4. In the example, 「撮って」 is the て form of 「撮ります」. Add 「はいけません」 directly after it.

    In the example, 「撮って」 is the て form of 「撮ります」. Add 「はいけません」 directly after it.

  5. Asking 「てもいいですか」 requests permission. Answering 「てはいけません」 means it is not allowed.

    Asking 「てもいいですか」 requests permission. Answering 「てはいけません」 means it is not allowed.

  6. In the example, 「ここで」 specifies the place: running is forbidden here, not everywhere.

    In the example, 「ここで」 specifies the place: running is forbidden here, not everywhere.

  • When reading 「走ってはいけません」, pronounce 「は」 as わ and connect it to the preceding て form.

    When reading 「走ってはいけません」, pronounce 「は」 as わ and connect it to the preceding て form.

    • Example sentences

    • ここkokoでde走っはしっhashiてteはわwaいけません。いけませんikemasen

      You must not run here.

    • 美術館びじゅつかんbijutsukanでde写真しゃしんshashinをo撮っとっtoてteはわwaいけません。いけませんikemasen

      You must not take photos in the art museum.

    In a conversation

    • A
      すみません、すみませんここで写真しゃしんを撮っとってもいいですか。か

      A: Excuse me, may I take photos here?

    • B
      いいえ、いいえここで写真しゃしんを撮っとってはわいけません。いけません美術館びじゅつかんですから。から

      B: No, you must not take photos here. This is an art museum.

    • A
      そうですか。かわかりました。わかりました

      A: I see. Understood.

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      You must not smoke here.

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      ここで写真を いけません。

      You must not take photos here.

    More grammar in this theme

    • 〜と、〜condition and result
    • 〜と言いますreporting what someone said
    • 〜てはいけませんprohibited action
    • 〜なければなりませんmust do
    • 〜なくてもいいですdo not have to
    • 〜と思いますI think; give an opinion
    Previous〜と言いますNext〜なければなりません

    Keep practising

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