GrammarN32 min read2026-02-17

〜はならない

N3 pattern expressing prohibition and obligation not to do something

Meaning

〜てはならない expresses prohibition or something that is strictly forbidden. It is synonymous with 〜てはいけない from N4 but is more formal and commonly used in legal documents and formal statements. The pattern attaches to the te-form of verbs and emphasizes that an action absolutely must not be done.

Formation

Part of speechFormation
动词て形はならない

Examples

  1. 君の勝手な行動で、みんなに大きな迷惑がかかりました。これからは、絶対にこのようなことをしてはなりません。
    Your selfish behavior caused great inconvenience to everyone. From now on, you absolutely must not do such things.

  2. 今回の失敗で、そんなに弱気になってはならないよ。
    You must not become so discouraged because of this failure.

  3. 法律では、これは輸入してはならないものだ。
    According to the law, this is something that must not be imported.

Summary

  • Formed by: verb (te-form) + はならない
  • More formal than てはいけない; frequently appears in legal and official documents
  • Expresses strict prohibition with the sense of 'must absolutely not do'

Related Articles