Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 12/21

～ては成(な)らないMust not, Cannot, Should not

Stronger than てはいけない
long form

Structure

Verb［て］+ はならない

Details

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About てはならない

Although なくてはならない 'must do' is introduced to many learners early on, てはならない by itself carries the meaning of 'must not do', or 'cannot do'. This structure is a combination of the conjunction particle て, は, and the negated form of the う-Verb なる. Despite this ならない by itself is often considered a standalone word which may indicate that something is 'not possible', 'not permitted', or 'cannot be helped', depending on what type of word it is following.

When following verbs and ては, ならない can only mean 'cannot', or 'must not'.

Caution

As a reminder, in the order from most casual to most formal, てはだめ, てはいけない, and てはならない will often be seen in sentences with no significant difference in meaning.

  • こんなことで泣(な)いていてはだめだ！
    You shouldn't cry over something like this.
  • 会議中(かいぎちゅう)に携帯(けいたい)を使(つか)ってはいけない。
    You must not use your cellphone during the meeting.
  • ここから先(さき)は関係者(かんけいしゃ)以外(いがい)、入(はい)ってはならない。
    You must not enter from this point forward if you are not an authorized personnel.

Due to the ならない variant being the most formal, it is also the most likely to be seen in writing or polite speech.

Examples

--:--

    くれぐれもこの戸(と)を開(あ)けてはならない。

    You must not repeatedly open this door.

    十代(じゅうだい)はお酒(さけ)を飲(の)んではならない。

    Teenagers must not drink any alcohol.

    市民(しみん)病院(びょういん)ではタバコを吸(す)ってはならない。

    You must not smoke in the municipal hospital.

    安易(あんい)に規律(きりつ)を破(やぶ)ってはならない。

    You must not simply break rules.

    何事(なにごと)も限度(げんど)を超(こ)えてはならない。

    You must not push the limits of anything and everything.

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