〜てはならない: This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

Dictionary

〜てはならない

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

N2 KMT6FormalStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedProhibition And Social UnacceptabilityGrammar

Verb [て-form] + はならないPrimary

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

法律で定められているため、未成年者は酒を飲んではならない。

Because it is stipulated by law, minors must not drink alcohol.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionPolitics & Law

我々はこの歴史的教訓を決して忘れてはならない。

We must never forget this historical lesson.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionHistory Politics & Law

あの時、感情に任せてあんなにひどいことを言ってはならなかったと後悔している。

I regret that at that time, I shouldn't have said such terrible things driven by emotion.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceProhibitionEmotions & Psychology

どんな理由があっても、人を傷つけてはならない。

Whatever the reason, you must not hurt other people.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionCore Concepts

困っている人を見て、何もしないでいてはならない。

Seeing someone in trouble, you must not just stand by and do nothing.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionCulture & Traditions

This rule feels very strong, like a law. It is not just someone's opinion. It is like a big sign that says 'Do Not Enter'.

This grammar is very formal. It is like a strong rule or law. "〜てはいけない" is a normal way to say "don't do this." "〜てはだめ" is more casual. You use it with kids or people below you. This grammar is for important rules or laws.

Use this when you want to say something is strictly not allowed. It is for rules and laws. You hear it in speeches. Do not use it in daily talk.

Often confused with(1)

〜べきではない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

Contrasts with(1)

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

More formal alternatives(1)

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

て形

This is a special form of words. You use it to connect actions or ideas. It can mean "and then," "because," or "by doing something."

〜なければならない

This means you must do something. It shows a strong need to do an action.

〜ては

This means 'if you do X, then something bad will happen'. It shows a bad result will come from an action.

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

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Dictionary

〜てはならない

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

N2 KMT6FormalStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedProhibition And Social UnacceptabilityGrammar

Verb [て-form] + はならないPrimary

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

法律で定められているため、未成年者は酒を飲んではならない。

Because it is stipulated by law, minors must not drink alcohol.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionPolitics & Law

我々はこの歴史的教訓を決して忘れてはならない。

We must never forget this historical lesson.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionHistory Politics & Law

あの時、感情に任せてあんなにひどいことを言ってはならなかったと後悔している。

I regret that at that time, I shouldn't have said such terrible things driven by emotion.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceProhibitionEmotions & Psychology

どんな理由があっても、人を傷つけてはならない。

Whatever the reason, you must not hurt other people.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionCore Concepts

困っている人を見て、何もしないでいてはならない。

Seeing someone in trouble, you must not just stand by and do nothing.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionCulture & Traditions

This rule feels very strong, like a law. It is not just someone's opinion. It is like a big sign that says 'Do Not Enter'.

Use this when you want to say something is strictly not allowed. It is for rules and laws. You hear it in speeches. Do not use it in daily talk.

Often confused with(1)

〜べきではない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

Contrasts with(1)

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

More formal alternatives(1)

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

て形

This is a special form of words. You use it to connect actions or ideas. It can mean "and then," "because," or "by doing something."

〜なければならない

This means you must do something. It shows a strong need to do an action.

〜ては

This means 'if you do X, then something bad will happen'. It shows a bad result will come from an action.

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜てはならない

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Discourse Function1

Compare with3

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(1)

More formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery

〜てはならない

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Discourse Function1

Compare with3

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(1)

More formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites4

Track your mastery